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Tuxpan, Veracruz — August 4, 2025 — A violent prison riot in eastern Mexico has left seven inmates dead and 11 injured, following reported pleas from prisoners for protection against threats from a criminal group operating inside the facility.
🔥 Riot Erupts Over Alleged Extortion
The unrest began on Saturday afternoon at the Tuxpan prison and continued into the night. According to local media and official statements, inmates initiated the riot after requesting safety guarantees from authorities due to threats and extortion by members of Grupo Sombra, a criminal organization linked to the Gulf Cartel.
Videos circulating on social media showed fires and smoke rising from the prison grounds. Some inmates reportedly suffered burns during the chaos.
🚨 Government Response
By Sunday morning, Veracruz state forces, supported by the military, conducted a coordinated operation to regain control of the facility. The Department of Public Security of Veracruz confirmed the fatalities and injuries, and stated that medical care was being provided to the wounded.
Three inmates were transferred to another prison in Veracruz following the incident, though details remain undisclosed.
⚠️ Systemic Issues
The Tuxpan prison was holding 778 inmates in June, exceeding its official capacity of 735, underscoring persistent issues of overcrowding and criminal influence in Mexico’s penal system. A 2012 report by Mexico’s human rights commission found that six out of ten prisons are controlled by gangs or cartels.
Grupo Sombra, which emerged publicly in 2017, has been linked to violent crimes and extortion in Veracruz. The group claims to be a splinter faction of the Gulf Cartel and has clashed with rival organizations such as Los Zetas and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
🔫 Broader Violence in Veracruz
The riot follows a series of violent incidents in Veracruz, including the May 2025 assassination of a mayoral candidate and three supporters, and the December 2024 killing of a congressman affiliated with the ruling coalition. These events reflect the broader challenges of cartel violence and political instability in the region.
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