Seven officers were killed and dozens were taken hostage in a coordinated series of prisoner uprisings at three notorious Guatemalan detention centers, followed by a spate of attacks against police in the streets.
Hundreds of riot cops swarmed the known hellhole Renovación prison in Escuintla on Sunday to regain control of the facility and rescue several guards who had been captured by inmates.
Security forces enter the Renovation maximum-security prison to free guards taken hostage and retake control of the facility, which houses gang leaders, in Escuintla, Guatemala. AP
Members of the National Civil Police stand next to redetained inmates lying on the ground, following security forces regaining control of the Renovacion 1 prison where inmates rioted. via REUTERSInterior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said nine guards were taken hostage at the facility, and nearly four dozen other guards had been captured at two other prisons in an organized insurrection by convicts.
The rescue effort melee lasted about 15 minutes before guards were spied exiting the facility under escort — no injuries or deaths were immediately reported.
Soon after control of the prison was regained, armed thugs began attacking police officers in Guatemala City, the nation’s capital, in which three people were killed and at least 10 others wounded, Villeda said.
Seven of the assailants were arrested after roughly 10 attacks. One gang member was killed during the retaliatory ambush outside of the prison.
Five of the attackers were arrested after roughly 10 attacks.
The country’s interior ministry said the riots at Renovación prison in Escuintla were the result of prison officials’ recent decision to revoke privileges from some gang-leader inmates, according to AP.
“In Guatemala, we don’t negotiate with terrorists nor with organized crime,” a statement by the interior ministry read.
“We also don’t allow groups that have sown fear to impose their conditions.”
The unruly prisoners first seized power over the facility Saturday evening in a coordinated uprising intended to fight against the administrators’ decision to revoke privileges for some jailed gang leaders.
Even behind bars, gang leaders still retain a wealth of power — especially when they are housed with their own men. It’s unclear who or what organizations the involved prisoners are affiliated with.
Additional armed guards were stationed at several prisons in Guatemala. The military is also conducting joint patrols with the police.
The Ministry of Education announced it will suspend classes in the country through Monday “to prioritize the safety” of students and teachers.
With Post wires
