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Guatemala: Prison Riots Erupt by Gang Members

Published January 18, 2026, 06:05
Guatemala: Prison Riots Erupt by Gang Members

In Guatemala, gang members have staged riots in prisons in response to the transfer of their leaders to high-security detention centers and the imposition of stricter measures. Authorities have labeled the gangs as “terrorist” organizations and state they will not negotiate with them. The riots have mobilized the police, armed forces, and fire department, with reports of small fires in one of the prisons. The Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs are clashing for territorial control and extorting citizens, resulting in numerous murders and drug trafficking incidents.