Guatemala Declares 30-day ‘state of Siege’ After Prison Riots

GUATEMALA – Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has declared a 30-day state of siege following a deadly wave of gang violence that left at least seven police officers dead.

The emergency measure comes after security forces freed dozens of prison guards held hostage by inmates, ending days of riots linked to the Barrio 18 gang.

Authorities say the unrest erupted after the gang demanded greater privileges in prison, with attacks spilling into several regions after police recaptured alleged gang leader Aldo Duppie.

Arévalo says the state of siege will target organized crime without disrupting daily life, though schools were temporarily suspended nationwide over security concerns.