On May 21, inmates at Barinas prison in Venezuela staged a dramatic protest on the roof of the facility, setting fire to mattresses and demanding the removal of Elvis Macuare Guerrero, the prison's director. They accused guards of shooting unarmed prisoners during what they described as a peaceful demonstration. A video shared by the Venezuelan Prison Observatory showed a prisoner with a bullet wound, highlighting the violence inmates faced. Family members of the prisoners attempted to confront National Guard officers outside the prison, but their efforts to enter were met with resistance. The National Guard was equipped with riot shields, and witnesses reported hearing screams and explosions during the incident. The Venezuelan authorities did not respond to requests for comment regarding the situation. This protest comes amid increased scrutiny of Venezuelan prisons, particularly as the government of interim President Delcy Rodriguez has enacted laws aimed at releasing political prisoners. The Venezuelan Prison Observatory is actively documenting these events and reporting them to international human rights organizations.