Guatemala Declares State of Siege After Deadly Gang Riots and Prison Hostage Crisis

State of Siege Declared

• 🚨 Guatemala's President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day state of siege to combat gang violence.
• ⚡ This measure allows the full force of the state, including police and the army, to be deployed against criminal organizations.

Prison Riots and Hostage Situation

• 💥 The unrest began with rioting inmates taking 46 hostages at three men's prisons.
• 👮 Security forces successfully freed dozens of prison guards held hostage.
• 💔 The conflict resulted in the deaths of at least seven police officers and injuries to ten others.

Blame and Gang Activity

• 🎯 The government attributes the riots to the Barrio 18 gang, which was reportedly seeking greater prison privileges.
• 🚔 Seven gang members were arrested, and one was killed by police in self-defense.
• ⛓️ Violence also targeted police in areas around Guatemala City after control was regained at the prison holding Barrio 18's leader, Ovidio "El Lobo" Dupi.
• ⚖️ Dupi is serving sentences totaling approximately 2,000 years and is married to the niece of Guatemala's former first lady.

National Response and Security Measures

• 📜 In October 2025, Guatemala's Congress declared Barrio 18 a terrorist organization.
• 🕊️ The country observed three days of national mourning.
• 🏫 School classes were cancelled nationwide on Monday due to safety concerns.