Guatemala Declares State of Emergency Amid Violent Prison Riots

Guatemala declared a 30-day nationwide **state of emergency** after coordinated prison riots by the **Barrio 18** gang led to hostage-taking and the killing of at least 10 police officers; authorities later regained control of three maximum-security prisons, freed 40 guards, and reported no casualties during the retaking operations. President Bernardo Arévalo said the riots sought to pressure the government to transfer gang leaders— including Aldo Dupie Ochoa Mejía ("El Lobo")—to lower-security facilities, while noting both the U.S. and Guatemala have designated **Barrio 18** a terrorist organization.