January 18, 2026, 3:30 p.mJanuary 18, 2026, 3:30 p.m
Inmates took around 40 guards hostage during mutinies in three prisons in Guatemala. Masked prisoners appeared on the watchtowers and demanded improvements in prison conditions, as seen in a video from the Prensa Libre newspaper. Police and military surrounded prisons in Guatemala City, Escuintla and Quetzaltenango. The prisoners released a pregnant correctional officer.
Pandilleros toman el control de la Cárcel Renovación 1 en Guatemala.
Results of the policies of a government “progre”
Sigan preocupándose más por los delincuentes que por las victims y pronto los delincuentes tendrán control de TODO el país. pic.twitter.com/Ktp8sSfLa1
— Jose Valdez (@JoseValdezSV) January 17, 2026
The uprisings were a result of the authorities’ decision to revoke the privileges of imprisoned leaders of criminal gangs, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. The Central American country’s prison administration said mobile phones, weapons and drugs were seized during raids on prisons and illegal buildings in the prisons were destroyed.
| Report on the subject of Renovation 1, based on “La Granja Canadá”, located in the department of Escuintla, Guatemala. The privados of libertad protestan contra el penitenciario y exigen el traslado de integrantes de las pandillas MS y barrio… pic.twitter.com/cLWyLhNSvP
— News On Demand (@OnDemand_News) January 17, 2026
Interior Minister: “I will not allow myself to be blackmailed”
“I will not allow myself to be blackmailed and will not give them back their privileges,” said Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda. “If it is necessary to use state force to regain control of these detention centers, then we will do that.”
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda (l.) on January 17th after a press conference in Guatemala City. Image: keystone
In Central America, powerful youth gangs – the so-called Maras – control entire city districts and are involved in protection rackets and drug trafficking. The imprisoned gang leaders often continue to control their criminal operations from prison. (sda/dpa)