Guatemala Faces Crisis as Police Killed Amid Prison Riots and State of Emergency

Guatemala is experiencing a significant crisis following violent riots in prisons that resulted in the deaths of at least eight police officers. President Bernardo Arévalo has declared a 30-day state of emergency to address the escalating violence, which authorities attribute to gang activities, particularly from the Barrio 18 gang. The unrest began with simultaneous uprisings in three prisons, where inmates took guards hostage to demand better conditions. In response, the government has suspended classes and canceled work at the Supreme Court for security reasons. Arévalo emphasized that the violence is politically motivated, aiming to destabilize his administration during a crucial year for public office renewals.

Key Details: • State of emergency declared for 30 days, allowing police to detain suspects without a judge's approval. • Classes suspended and Supreme Court operations canceled for safety. • Riots orchestrated by Barrio 18 gang, led by Aldo Dupié Ochoa. • Government vows to take necessary actions to prevent further violence.