US embassy cable - 05BUENOSAIRES325

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000325 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KJUS, KRIM, AR, PROTESTS 
SUBJECT: CORDOBA PRISON RIOT RESOLVED AFTER 24 STANDOFF 
 
 
1. (U) As of this writing, a riot in Cordoba's provincial 
prison, that left at least eight people dead, has ended with 
the release of all hostages.  On 10 February, a protest over 
better living conditions and extended visitation hours turned 
deadly and escalated into a full-scale riot.  The prison, 
built in 1889 to house 800 inmates, is home to well over 
2,000 inmates and is representative of the overcrowded 
condition of prisons throughout Argentina.  Prison protests 
are common in Argentina, but in this instance the protest 
escalated into an open revolt that has captivated the nation. 
 In addition to the violence inside the prison, there are 
reports that the police used tear gas and rubber bullets to 
disburse the relatives of inmates, who had gathered outside 
the prison.  Reports are conflicting but there are at least 
eight reported fatalities including two guards, one police 
officer and five inmates.  The police officer and three or 
four inmates were killed when several inmates attempted to 
use a stolen truck to escape during the riot.  During the 
standoff the rioters held at least twenty-five security 
guards, including the prison director and his deputy, and, a 
number of relatives who were visiting when the riot broke 
out, refused to leave.  According to LEGATT Attache,s 
sources, the prison had been held by a core group of hardened 
criminals serving life sentences, who obtained several 
weapons from guards and the prison's weapons room.  It 
appears that negotiators lead by provincial prosecutors were 
able to resolve the situation with no further violence. 
 
2. (U) COMMENT:  The incident highlights the miserable state 
of Argentina's prison system and reminds the public of 
Argentina's high levels of crime and violence.  Apart from 
deploying a Gendarmeria SWAT team to the area, the Kirchner 
Administration kept a low profile during the crisis. 
LLORENS