A violent riot erupted on August 2 at the Tuxpan state penitentiary in Veracruz, Mexico, resulting in the deaths of seven inmates and injuries to 11 others, according to the Veracruz Secretariat of Public Security. The disturbance was reportedly fueled by prisoner complaints of abuse, extortion, and control exerted by a criminal group known as the 'Grupo Sombra' or 'Mafia Veracruzana.' Authorities deployed federal and state forces to restore order and transferred those responsible for the unrest to another prison in Pánuco. The Mexican government confirmed that five Guatemalan nationals were among the deceased, with one more injured, as verified by the Guatemalan consulate. Meanwhile, in Colombia, former President Álvaro Uribe Vélez was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for fraud and bribery related to judicial proceedings. Uribe's defense has filed legal motions seeking to overturn the decision and allow him to continue his appeal process while free. However, the Bogotá Superior Tribunal denied a request to suspend his house arrest. Uribe and his political party have called for his immediate release, and large-scale demonstrations supporting him have taken place across Colombia. The case has sparked significant political and social debate within the country.