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Guatemala Congress Ratifies 30-Day State of Siege After Prison Mutinies and Police Killings

The decree gives security forces extraordinary powers to pursue Barrio 18 and MS-13.

Overview

  • Lawmakers approved President Bernardo Arevalo’s nationwide measure for 30 days following synchronized prison uprisings and coordinated attacks on officers.
  • The state of siege suspends rights of assembly and demonstration and allows arrests and interrogations without judicial warrants.
  • Authorities say they regained control of three prisons and freed dozens of hostages taken by inmates protesting transfers of gang leaders to a high-security facility.
  • Police reported the leader known as El Lobo was neutralized during the Renovación I operation, releasing video from inside the facility.
  • Nine police officers have died in related attacks; the government declared three days of national mourning, held funerals Monday, suspended classes, and mobilized the army to patrol and target organized-crime structures.