Sophia Menchu
GUATEMALA CITY, Jan 17 (Reuters) – Inmates at three Guatemala prisons rioted on Saturday, taking at least 46 people hostage, mostly guards but also a psychologist, officials said.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda told a news conference that there had been no reports of hostage deaths or injuries so far.
Villeda said inmates coordinated riots at three prisons, which he claimed were organized by the Barrio 18 gang, which rioted because its leader was seeking to be transferred to another prison for better conditions and special treatment.
Villeda added: “I will not make any deal with any terrorist group, I will not give in to this blackmail, nor will I restore their privileges in exchange for them ceasing their operations.”
While Guatemala has had previous hostage incidents involving prison guards, the current number of hostages is significantly higher than in past incidents.
The ministry said security forces, including members of the army, were maintaining comprehensive perimeter control and working to restore order and ensure security in the surrounding area.
(Reporting by Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Chris Reese)