GUATEMALA-FRAIJANES-PRISON RIOTS

Xinhua
19 Jan 2026, 08:19 GMT+10

(260119) -- FRAIJANES, Jan. 19, 2026 (Xinhua) -- An inmate watches a riot at the Men's Detention Center Fraijanes II, Fraijanes Municipality, Guatemala, Jan. 17, 2026. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday.

The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers.

Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported. (Str/Xinhua)

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