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Colombian government refuses rioting inmates' demands
April 5, 1997
Web posted at: 4:52 p.m. EST (2152 GMT)BOGOTA, Colombia (CNN) -- Rebellious prisoners who overthrew guards and took over their arsenal earlier this week maintained control of the jail in Cesar state for a third day Saturday.
The inmates released two hostages, including a 14-year-old girl, on Friday, but demanded talks with the government before freeing any of at least eight remaining hostages. But Colombian officials, including President Ernesto Samper, rejected that demand.
"The national government will not begin to look for the solution to this situation until the hostages are released and the inmates lay down their arms," Samper said.
"We have decided not to comment about anything until the hostages are released," said provincial Gov. Mauricio Pimiento. "Then, perhaps there can be negotiations."
Red Cross officials on Friday removed the bodies of four prison guards killed in Thursday's uprising. Government prison officials said the death toll could be higher.
Leftist rebels are among the prisoners at Valledupar jail -- including Omar Manrique Lozano, believed to be a member of the National Liberation Army -- and officials suspect they are leading the revolt.
Lozano has demanded political asylum in Cuba, but Colombian officials have flatly rejected that demand.
"These are people who have been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for sedition and terrorism, who are armed outlaws," said Justice Minister Carlos Medellin. "Letting them go is out of the question."
Tensions within the Colombian penal system have been increasing, particularly over poor conditions for inmates and corruption among guards. Some guards have threatened to strike over the government's consideration of a plan to replace guards with police in some facilities.
In recent weeks, the poor conditions in the prisons have sparked a string of disturbances -- and human rights officials consider the Valledupar prison the country's worse.
Valledupar, built for 200 inmates, was housing nearly 600 at the time of the riot.
Correspondent Ronnie Lovler and Reuters contributed to this report.
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