Prison uprisings in Guatemala leave nine police officers dead; 30-day emergency declared

Deadly riots at three prisons across Guatemala over the weekend left nine police officers dead, the police said, and prompted President Bernardo Arévalo to declare a 30-day state of emergency to crack down on gangs. Officials said inmates took dozens of guards hostage and that the riots and reprisal killings were a coordinated response by criminal leaders after authorities removed prison privileges, including restaurant meals and air conditioning.

By Sunday the police had regained control of the prisons and the guards had been freed, the government said. Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda identified Aldo Dupie Ochoa, known as "El Lobo," as the main instigator at one prison and said he had demanded a transfer and special benefits.

Funeral services for eight officers were held on Monday; a ninth officer died as a result of the prison operations, police said. Seven other officers were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and authorities said 10 members of the Barrio 18 gang had been arrested in connection with the attacks.

The emergency order, Mr. Arévalo said, gives national police and the military broader authority to set up checkpoints and make arrests and calls for deploying all active police—approximately 45,000—and members of the army to patrol. Defense Minister Henry Saenz said on the radio that "the army supports the president" and that Mr.

Key Topics

World, Prison Uprisings, Bernardo Arévalo, Guatemala, Aldo Dupie Ochoa, Guatemalan National Police