MEXICO CITY, Aug. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll of the riots that occured simultaneously in three Guatemalan prisons rose to 35 on Tuesday, according to information provided by Guatemala's Civil National Police (CNP).

    The El Hoyon prison in Escuintla, about 56 kilometers south of the Guatemalan capital, had the highest death toll with 18 inmates killed by shotguns and knives.

    The clash was triggered by a dispute between the Mara Salvatrucha gang and the Mara-18 gang in Guatemala, said Human Rights Agency (HRA) official Osmin Revolorio.

    In another clash between these gangs in Las Gaviotas juvenile detention center, south of the capital, one minor was killed and six more were injured, the CNP said.

    In the Pavon prison, about 18 kilometers southeast of the capital, two other gang members known as "Los Cholos" were shot dead and there were also riots in prisons in Canada, Escuintla, and in Mazatenango, south of the capital.

    Guatemalan Interior Minister Carlos Vielman said gang members were apparently coordinated to create chaos and tension in prisons,which are still under the control of authorities. Enditem