Guatemala declares state of emergency after eight police officers killed in prison gang violence

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Agence France-Press in EscuintlaJanuary 19, 2026 at 01:53 PM

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Guatemala declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency after eight police officers were killed in gang-related violence. The violence erupted after gang-affiliated inmates took 46 people hostage in three prisons, demanding the transfer of gang leaders to lower-security facilities. Guatemalan authorities have since regained control of the prisons. The state of emergency, which requires congressional approval, suspends the right of assembly and allows arrests and interrogations without court orders. The US embassy advised personnel to shelter in place, and schools were closed. Authorities have arrested Aldo Dupie, alias "El Lobo," allegedly the leader of the Barrio 18 gang.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States Embassy in Guatemala 30% Escuintla 30% Renovacion I maximum-security prison 40% Luís Contreras 40% Congress ×250% Aldo Dupie (El Lobo) 50% Guatemala City ×360% Marco Antonio Villeda ×260% Bernardo Arévalo ×270% Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) 70% Barrio 18 ×280% Guatemala ×690%

Keywords

guatemala 100% prison gang violence 90% state of emergency 90% police officers killed 80% criminal gangs 70% hostages 70% prison control 60% barrio 18 60% mara salvatrucha (ms-13) 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Guatemala

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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guatemala prison gang violence state of emergency police officers killed criminal gangs hostages prison control barrio 18 mara salvatrucha (ms-13)

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