World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Guatemala says it has ended prison riots and freed about 40 guards
Guatemala's authorities regained control of riots at two prisons after inmates took about 40 police guards hostage.
The disturbances began Wednesday night at El Boquerón prison in the east and Renovación I, a high-security prison in the south.
Officials said inmates were protesting tighter visit rules and the removal of privileges, including access to electrical appliances.
Renovación I holds leaders of the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs.
The authorities said they used pressure from security forces to regain control and did not negotiate with the inmates.
Officials said the guards were safe and had not been attacked.
The unrest comes as Guatemala faces concern over rising criminal violence, including attacks by Barrio 18 that killed 11 police officers in January.
Guatemala’s authorities said they had brought under control prison riots at two facilities.
About 40 prison guards had been taken hostage, and officials said they were safe and had not been attacked.
The state prison system chief said the unrest began Wednesday night and was controlled on Thursday.
Prisoners were protesting new visit restrictions and the removal of privileges, including the ability to bring in electrical appliances.
Officials said they did not negotiate with the prisoners and brought the situation under control through pressure from security forces.
- Who
- Prisoners, many of them gang members, took about 40 prison guards hostage; Guatemala’s security forces brought the unrest under control.
- What
- Riots broke out at two prisons, and officials said the guards were safe and had not been attacked.
- When
- The unrest began Wednesday night and was brought under control on Thursday.
- Where
- El Boquerón prison in eastern Guatemala and Renovación I prison in the south.
- Why
- Prisoners were dissatisfied with new visit restrictions and the removal of privileges, including bringing in electrical appliances.
Prisoners
Guatemalan authorities
Reason for the unrest
Prisoners
Prisoners protested new visit restrictions and the removal of privileges.
Guatemalan authorities
Authorities said they controlled the situation through pressure from security forces and did not negotiate.
Riots began at El Boquerón and Renovación I prisons.
Authorities said they had brought the situation under control and that the guards were safe and had not been attacked.
- Prison facilities
- El Boquerón and Renovación I
- Hostages
- About 40 prison guards
- Start of unrest
- Wednesday night
- Authorities’ response
- Controlled the situation on Thursday through pressure from security forces
- Prisoners’ grievances
- New visit restrictions and removal of privileges, including bringing in electrical appliances
What people are saying
We did not enter into any negotiation
through pressure
there were no clashes