Brawl at Chalco prison sparks protests by family members demanding official information

On the afternoon of Monday, July 28, 2025 , a fight inside the Chalco Penitentiary and Social Reintegration Center in the State of Mexico caused great concern among the families of inmates. Although rumors of a riot initially circulated, state authorities later confirmed that it was merely a fight between inmates.

The incident prompted a rapid mobilization of family members , who gathered outside the prison, located in the community of Huitzilzingo , Chalco municipality. They loudly demanded an official report on the situation of their loved ones, concerned by the institutional silence.

From the first hours after the fight became known, hundreds of people began arriving outside the prison. The protest initially proceeded peacefully, with the Chalco-Mixquic Highway, a key thoroughfare in the area, being blocked . However, as the hours passed and official announcements remained lacking , unrest grew.

Images shared on social media show women and men wearing colorful clothing , as required by the regulations for visits inside the prison. The scene reflected the collective anxiety: some people were waiting for news, others were trying to enter the prison, and many simply wanted to confirm that their relatives were safe.

The uncertainty generated pent-up tension . Some protesters began painting graffiti on the prison walls , while others threw rocks at the entrance gate and the guardhouse area. In response, security forces used tear gas to disperse the crowd .

Hours after the fight broke out, spokespersons for the State of Mexico Security Secretariat ruled out a riot. They stated that the altercation was contained by security personnel without the situation escalating. No deaths or serious injuries were reported , although no detailed figures were provided on those involved.

Despite the authorities' efforts to reassure the population, the lack of an immediate and transparent report fueled mistrust. Several human rights organizations in the state have emphasized the importance of ensuring effective and timely communication with family members in these types of situations.

What happened in Chalco is not an isolated incident. Various reports have highlighted overcrowding , tension between inmates , and a shortage of custodial staff in multiple prisons across the country. In the State of Mexico, which has one of the highest prison populations in the nation, conflicts between inmates are not uncommon.

Security and reintegration specialists agree that these types of incidents reflect structural problems within the prison system: from underinvestment to a lack of clear communication protocols with family members.

The protest at the Chalco prison also highlights the role of families as fundamental support networks for inmates and as actors demanding greater transparency in prison management.

Following the incident, families and groups have called on the State of Mexico government to establish a permanent communication channel during prison emergencies. Some have also requested the establishment of a dialogue table with prison authorities , as well as a guarantee that there will be no reprisals against the inmates involved in the fight.

They also demanded respect for visitation rights and decent conditions for maintaining family ties, something considered essential for social reintegration processes.

The conflict at the Chalco prison left more than just a day of tension and tear gas. It exposed the fragility of the prison system, but also the determination of hundreds of people to obtain answers about the fate of their families.

These types of events should be a wake-up call for authorities and society: rehabilitation centers must guarantee safety, dignity, and open communication . Without these pillars, there is a risk of breaking family ties and deepening the isolation of those who, even while serving a sentence, have rights that must be respected.