16 inmates killed in Mexican prison fight

By Sierra Juarez

MICHOACAN, Mexico (AA) - Sixteen inmates died in a fight at a prison in Zacatecas, Mexico, the government has announced.

Five other inmates were wounded in the clash that broke out Tuesday. After the fight, authorities found several guns and knives in the prison.

Officials are conducting an investigation to find out how the weapons got into the prison. The government also said it will increase security in prisons throughout the central state.

Historically, the country has struggled with riots and prison fights. In 2012, at least 44 died in a prison riot in Nuevo Leon.

The conflicts often have a link to drug cartels. The Nuevo Leon riot was a result of conflict between two warring crime organizations.

It is unclear what caused the prison fight earlier this week.

The incident is yet another blow to the presidency of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who campaigned on decreasing violence.

The Mexican government announced Wednesday that in the last year violence decreased in some regions, including Sinaloa state, which has long been wracked with crime.

But although government statistics show that crime has decreased, several incidents like the prison fight from this week has cast doubt on the numbers.