Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo on Sunday declared a 30-day state of siege after suspected gang members killed at least seven police officers following unrest in three prisons.
Under Guatemalan law, a state of siege can take effect before congressional approval and allows authorities to temporarily limit civil liberties while expanding the powers of security forces in response to threats to public order.
On Saturday, 46 prison guards were taken hostage by gang-affiliated inmates at three men’s prisons. Authorities blamed the riots on the Barrio 18 gang, which has demanded greater privileges for its jailed leaders, including transfers to lower-security facilities.
The police killings occurred in Guatemala City and nearby areas in apparent retaliation for anti-riot operations to retake control of the maximum-security Renovacion prison in Escuintla, where Barrio 18 leader Aldo Duppie, also known as El Lobo, was held.
Duppie was subdued and taken back into custody.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said the attacks were carried out “by these terrorists, in response to the actions the Guatemalan state is taking against them”.
Ten other police officers were injured, while one suspected gang member was killed.
In a televised address, Arevalo said authorities had regained control of all three prisons and freed the hostage guards. He declared a nationwide emergency to combat criminal gangs.
“They rioted in the prisons and took hostages with the intention of forcing the state to accept their demands,” he said.
He added that the retaliatory attacks were meant to terrorise security forces and the public.
Arevalo also declared three days of national mourning for the fallen officers.
