Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo declared a 30-day nationwide state of siege on Sunday (January 18), after security forces freed dozens of prison guards held hostage by inmates, ending a weekend of gang violence that left at least seven police officers dead and another 10 injured.
Arevalo emphasised the state of siege would focus exclusively on combating organised crime without restricting daily life or citizen mobility, though Education Minister Anabella Giracca suspended classes nationwide on Monday (January 19) citing security concerns. Under Guatemalan law, a state of siege can temporarily limit or suspend civil liberties and expand security forces’ powers in response to threats to public order.
Rioting inmates had taken 46 hostages at three men’s prisons early on Saturday (January 17). The government blamed the riots on the Barrio 18 gang, which it said was pushing for greater privileges for its members in prison.
Gang-led violence targeted police in several areas of the country after security forces regained control of the prison where Barrio 18’s leader, Aldo Duppie, was held. The gang leader, known as El Lobo, was taken back into custody.
(Reuters)
