A 27-day uprising in a Venezuelan prison has ended after talks, with some claiming that the government allowed an inmate ringleader to go free.
Sixty armed inmates at the El Rodeo II prison close to Caracas agreed to surrender after negotiations with authorities. They had held part of the prison for almost a month, after troops attempted to enter to carry out a weapons search.
The government has denied allegations that it made a deal with inmate leader, or "pran," known as "El Oriente," which allegedly allowed him to go free along with seven of his associates.
Venezuelan Interior and Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami admitted that several inmates had managed to flee from the jail when soldiers guarding the perimeter were forced to withdraw.
He claimed said that the inmates surrendered after being assured of their safety, and blamed the media and the "sick minds of the opposition" for the rumors.
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