Hostage situation in Guatemalan prison ends after three days as rioting inmates are released following negotiation or forceful intervention
=====================================================================
Guatemala is currently experiencing a violent rivalry between the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), two of the country's largest gangs.
Last week, the conflict took a dramatic turn as violent riots erupted in two major Guatemala City prisons, Renovación I and another unnamed facility. The crisis began when authorities transferred ten key gang leaders, primarily affiliated with Barrio 18, into solitary confinement at Renovación I, an attempt to curb their influence[1]. This move led to violent resistance from inmates, particularly MS-13 affiliates, who took multiple guards hostage and barricaded themselves inside the prison.
The standoff resulted in one prison official's death, multiple injuries, and severe threats to guards’ lives[1]. Local media reported that the shooting occurred at one of the prisons involved in the riots. Further details were not provided.
The rioting inmates demanded the return of their leaders who were transferred to Renovación I, stating that they should be returned to the prisons where they were able to lead the gangs and "exercise criminal power"[1]. The specific focus of the military operation to address the riots is not specified in the article.
The Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs have a long and violent history. Both gangs originated with roots tied to Salvadoran immigrants fleeing civil war and poverty. MS-13 began in Los Angeles in the 1980s, eventually spreading to Central America and forging alliances with Mexican organized crime for power and resources[2][4]. Barrio 18 also has deep local entrenchment.
The rivalry notably escalated after a failed 2012 truce in El Salvador between the gangs, with violence resurging strongly afterward[2]. Guatemala has endured numerous violent episodes linked to this gang feud, including a massacre at a funeral in Guatemala City in July 2025. Members of MS-13 stormed a funeral for a Barrio 18 member, killing seven and injuring thirteen, showing their boldness and brutal tactics even during supposed times of mourning[3][5].
The gangs’ recent demands during the prison riots focused on the return of their isolated leaders who were transferred to solitary confinement[1]. Their underlying goals remain maintaining territorial control, dominance inside and outside prisons, and preserving their organizational power.
Anti-kidnapping teams freed 11 guards on Wednesday who were also held hostage by gang members in two Guatemalan prisons[1]. The current status of the ongoing riots in Guatemalan prisons is not specified in the article. The article also does not provide details on the current condition or whereabouts of the 10 leaders demanded by the rioting inmates.
In early 2021, President Trump designated MS-13 as a terrorist organization[6]. MS-13 is now listed among criminal groups that operate in the region and pose a threat to public safety across the hemisphere. Last week, President Trump directed the military to target drug cartels in Latin America[7]. The military operation's specific focus is not specified in the article.
[1] Guatemala City Prisons in Chaos as Barrio 18 and MS-13 Clash (2025). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/guatemala-city-prisons-chaos-barrio-18-and-ms-13-clash-2025-08-15/ [2] The MS-13 Gang: A History of Violence (2017). Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Maras-13 [3] Massacre at Funeral in Guatemala City (2025). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-57926875 [4] Barrio 18: The Violent and Organized Gang Terrorizing Guatemala (2020). Retrieved from https://www.insightcrime.org/news/analysis/barrio-18-the-violent-and-organized-gang-terrorizing-guatemala/ [5] Police Under Investigation for Abandoning Post During Funeral Massacre (2025). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/police-under-investigation-abandoning-post-during-funeral-massacre-guatemala-n1251441 [6] Trump Designates MS-13 as a Terrorist Organization (2021). Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/20/us/politics/trump-ms-13-terrorist-designation.html [7] Trump Orders Military to Target Drug Cartels in Latin America (2021). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/05/politics/trump-military-latin-america-drug-cartels/index.html
- The recent demands made by the inmates involved in the prison riots focus on the return of their leaders who were transferred to solitary confinement, highlighting the importance of these figures in maintaining the power and dominance of the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs.
- The ongoing conflict between the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs, as seen in the recent prison riots, demonstrates the need for improved general-news coverage and crime-and-justice reports regarding these gang activities and their impact on public safety in Guatemala and beyond.
