Gang members sparked riots in multiple prisons across Guatemala on Saturday, taking more than 40 guards and staff as hostages. The unrest stems from ongoing tensions after authorities shifted top leaders of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gangs to a high-security facility last year.
Officials report that inmates hold 46 people captive in three separate sites. At the Renovación I maximum-security prison, located about 75 kilometers south of Guatemala City, nine guards remain detained. Another 28 guards are hostages at Fraijanes II prison, while nine more, including a psychologist, face the same fate at the Preventivo facility on the capital’s eastern outskirts.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda addressed the situation in a press conference, stating that no one has suffered injuries or fatalities so far. He firmly rejected any talks with the rioters. “The government will not return their privileges or move them to the prisons they demand unless they release the hostages,” Villeda said.
Prison system director Jorge Guillermo López detailed the locations and numbers of those held. He linked the riots to the gangs’ frustration over lost perks following the transfers. “They are upset because we removed certain advantages,” Villeda added. “Inmates cannot run these centers as they please.”
The Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs, which both Guatemala and the United States classify as terrorist groups, face charges for hired killings, extortion schemes, and drug operations in the country. Authorities began isolating their key figures in mid-2025 to curb their influence from behind bars. These moves have fueled repeated clashes since then.
Local news stations broadcast a video that appears to come from the rioters, featuring seven hostages. In the footage, one man dressed in a black shirt and pants sits on a thin mattress and speaks directly to officials. “We’re fine… everything is calm here,” he says. “All they want is the transfer, to be moved from here because of the conditions.”
The Interior Ministry later shared clips from this video alongside Villeda’s comments to update the public. This incident echoes prior violence in Guatemala’s prison system. Last year, a riot claimed the life of one guard in a shooting. In October, 20 Barrio 18 leaders broke out of a prison, leading to the dismissal of high-ranking security personnel. Only six have been caught again, with one killed during the pursuit.
Security teams now work to regain control of the affected prisons. Villeda emphasized that the state stands firm against gang demands, prioritizing order and safety. As a neighbor to Guatemala, Costa Rica monitors these developments closely, given the shared regional threats from organized crime. Officials here have stepped up border checks in response to potential spillover effects.
The situation remains tense, with no immediate resolution in sight. Authorities continue to assess options to free the hostages without concessions.
