Seven Dead in Deadly Prison Riot in Mexico’s Tabasco State Amid Rising Violence
A prison riot in the southeastern Mexican state of Tabasco left seven people dead, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. The incident occurred in Villahermosa, the state capital, which has been grappling with an uptick in criminal violence. The public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the deadly clash.
Local reports suggest that the riot may have been caused by a confrontation between rival criminal groups within the prison. This marks the second deadly riot in the region in recent months, as a similar incident in December 2024 also claimed seven lives.
Tabasco, known for its oil production, has seen a sharp rise in violent crime, with gun attacks on bars in Villahermosa in both November and January resulting in the deaths of 13 people. The region is among many affected by the broader drug-related violence that has plagued Mexico since the government deployed the military to tackle organized crime in 2006. Official figures report that over 480,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence during this period.
