Guatemalan authorities on Saturday freed 9 jail guards who had been held hostage since Thursday by rioting inmates in Guatemala Metropolis, an official stated.
Members of Guatemala‘s two largest gangs — Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha — started rioting Tuesday in two prisons, demanding the return of 10 leaders who had been transferred to a different facility and positioned in solitary confinement.
José Portillo, Deputy Minister of Safety, informed The Related Press that the guards launched Saturday had been held by members of Mara Salvatrucha.
One jail official died Friday after being shot, authorities stated, with out offering additional particulars.
Native media reported the capturing occurred at one of many prisons concerned within the riots.
In one other related incident, anti-kidnapping groups freed 11 guards on Wednesday who have been additionally held hostage by gang members in two Guatemalan prisons. Inside Minister Francisco Jiménez informed The Related Press that the rioters have been demanding Guatemalan authorities return their leaders from the jail the place they have been transferred, Renovación I, to the prisons the place they have been in a position to lead the gangs and “exercised felony energy.”
Guatemala has been tormented by the violent rivalry between the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, generally generally known as MS-13. Authorities say they each search to achieve management of territory the place they extort cash from firms and people.
Not less than 7 individuals have been killed final month when armed MS-13 members stormed into the funeral of a Barrio 18 member who had been killed.
Earlier this 12 months, President Trump designated MS-13 as a terrorist group, putting it on an inventory of felony teams that he stated function within the area and threaten public security throughout the hemisphere.
Final week, Mr. Trump directed the army to focus on drug cartels in Latin America, a supply accustomed to the matter informed CBS Information.
