Guatemala

Guatemala is a Central American nation currently facing a surge in gang violence. The country is newsworthy due to a recent escalation of violence, including coordinated attacks by gangs that resulted in the deaths of at least ten police officers. These attacks followed prison riots in three facilities where gang-affiliated inmates took 46 people hostage to demand incarcerated gang members' privileges. In response to the escalating crisis, President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day nationwide state of emergency, granting authorities increased powers to combat criminal gangs, including the ability to arrest suspected criminals without judicial orders. This situation presents a significant challenge for President Arévalo, who is already working to combat corruption and organized crime. The state of emergency and the government's response are being closely watched, especially in light of other Latin American countries' approaches to crime, such as El Salvador's "Bukele model."