The government of the Central American country has declared a state of emergency following mutinies in three prisons in Guatemala.
Jan 19, 2026, 05:46Jan 19, 2026, 05:46
«We do not negotiate with criminals and do not tolerate terrorist acts. Within the framework of the law, we bring them to their knees with the sword of justice,” said President Bernardo Arévalo in a government statement.
Guatemala’s security forces want to take tough action against organized crime.Image: keystone
In the next 30 days, the police and military will use all their might to combat organized crime in the Central American country. Prisoners in three prisons had previously rebelled and taken around 40 guards hostage. Security forces later stormed the detention centers and, according to authorities, took back control of the prisons.
At least eight police officers killed
In a series of attacks on police officers in the greater Guatemala City area, at least eight officers were killed when suspected gang members opened fire on them. The attacks were a reaction by the criminal gangs to the suppression of the prisoner mutiny, said Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda. Seven suspects were arrested. Another suspected gang member was killed in a police operation.
Inmates take guards hostage
Previously, prisoners had taken power in the prisons for hours. Prisoners showed up at 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 at the beginning of the uprising.
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.
Gang leaders run businesses out of prison
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)