Guatemala Prison Riots Leave 46 Hostages as Government Blames Barrio 18

Overview

• Inmates at three prisons staged riots and seized at least 46 people, mostly guards and a prison psychologist.
• Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said no deaths or injuries have been reported among the hostages.
• Officials linked the riots to recent moves to revoke privileges for gang leaders and to Barrio 18 efforts to secure a leader’s transfer.
• National Police and army units established perimeter control while efforts to restore order continued.
• Villeda ruled out negotiations or the reinstatement of privileges in exchange for the hostages’ release.