8 police officers killed in attacks in Guatemala after prison crackdown on gangs

[Pleasan]

Guatemala's Police Suffer Brutal Retaliation Over Gang Crackdown

A wave of violence swept through Guatemala on Sunday, leaving eight police officers dead and ten wounded in retaliatory attacks against the authorities. The killings came in response to a government crackdown on gang leaders who were being transferred to higher-security prisons.

The violence was part of an ongoing cycle of unrest that has plagued Guatemala's justice system for months. Inmates at three prisons across the country took 46 people hostage, including guards and a psychiatrist, in protest over the transfer of gang leaders to maximum-security facilities.

Police regains control of one prison, frees hostages

But on Sunday morning, authorities launched an operation to retake control of the Renovacion I maximum-security prison in Escuintla, about 45 miles south of Guatemala City. Using armored vehicles and tear gas, police officers supported by the army managed to regain control of the prison after just 15 minutes.

During the operation, police freed guards who had been held hostage by inmates, as well as nine hostages being held by the alleged leader of the Barrio 18 gang, Aldo Dupie, alias "El Lobo" (The Wolf). The U.S. State Department has designated both Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) as terrorist organizations.

Criminal violence on the rise in Guatemala

Since Saturday morning, inmates had been holding guards and a psychiatrist hostage at three prisons to protest the transfer of gang leaders to maximum-security facilities. The violence is part of a broader trend of criminal unrest that has plagued Guatemala's justice system for months.

Last summer, authorities reported that at least seven people were killed when armed gang members stormed into the funeral of a Barrio 18 member. Last month, at least 12 bodies were found in a wooded area on the outskirts of Guatemala City, and authorities linked the discovery to gang violence.

Guatemala's homicide rate has been rising steadily, with 16.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025 - more than double the global average. The government has acknowledged that it is struggling to contain the violence, and officials have vowed to take decisive action to restore order.

President convenes emergency cabinet meeting

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced on Twitter that he had convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday to make "decisive decisions to maintain security." The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala issued a security alert on Sunday, advising its personnel to shelter in place and avoid crowds.

In response to the violence, Defense Minister Henry Saenz said that the army would remain on the streets to continue "dismantling" criminal groups.

 

[Annoyin]

Ugh, this is getting out of control ... I mean, can't these gangs just leave everyone alone? Apparently not, and now innocent cops are paying the price . The cycle of violence is like a never-ending nightmare - first you got gangs trying to get power, then authorities crack down, and suddenly we're seeing retaliatory attacks that put everyone in danger .

And what's with all these hostage situations? Like, can't people just negotiate or something? Instead, it's always "I'm going to take 10 people hostage unless you do exactly what I want" . And now there's a US State Department designation for these gangs... like that's not already making them feel powerful enough .

The numbers are just mind-boggling too - 16.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants? That's insane! The government is trying to take action, but it feels like they're just spinning their wheels . I mean, what can they do when the gangs have guns and a willingness to use them?

 

[Shy Snake]

this is getting out of hand in guatemala... police are being brutalized by gangs who think they can take the law into their own hands... 8 officers dead already, and it's only saturday what's going on with these prisons? inmates taking hostages & authorities trying to regain control... sounds like a recipe for disaster the violence is spilling out of the prison walls, with more bodies turning up in the streets... 16.1 deaths per 100k inhabitants in guatemala - that's insane the govt needs to step up its game and find a way to crack down on these gangs once & for all

 

[Furry Pogo Groov]

Ugh just read about what's going down in Guatemala and it's totally mind-blowing... like, who gives orders for police to die? eight officers lost their lives and ten more got hurt because some gang leaders were moved to a higher-security prison. And now the whole country is dealing with this massive cycle of violence that just won't stop

I don't get why people can't work things out instead of resorting to violence . I mean, I know gangs are super powerful and all, but does that justify killing innocent police officers? It's like, where's the empathy? The understanding?

Anyway... it's just crazy to think about how Guatemala's justice system is completely out of control right now . First, you gotta get rid of gang leaders, then you gotta deal with all these retaliatory attacks... and now there are more deaths and hostages taken... ugh

 

[Strange Scarab]

This situation is super crazy... I mean, it's like, you gotta feel for the police officers who got killed and wounded, but at the same time, I'm all about critiquing how they handled this whole thing. Like, what went wrong? How did things escalate to this point?

And the fact that these gangs are being transferred to max-security prisons is a whole different story... it's like, are we creating more problems than we're solving? The government's gotta take responsibility for this mess and come up with some real solutions.

But let's be real, Guatemala's been dealing with this kind of violence for ages, and the numbers just keep going up... 16.1 deaths per 100k inhabitants is wild. It's like, what can we do to stop it? The government's all like they're taking action, but is it really working?

And those gangs being called terrorist organizations? Like, what even does that mean in practice? Is it just a PR move or what? I'm not buying the "dismantling criminal groups" rhetoric without some real concrete steps... we need more than just words from our leaders.

 

[Remote Liza]

just read about guatemala's police getting brutal retaliation it's crazy how gang leaders are being transferred to max-security prisons and now their followers are attacking cops like there's no tomorrow meanwhile, guatemala's homicide rate is rising steadily & the gov's struggling to contain the violence has anyone seen those armored vehicles used by the police? they look so cool! guess it's time for some serious security upgrades in that country

 

[The Cas]

Omg what's going on in Guatemala?! Eight police officers dead is just so heartbreaking I can imagine how scary it must be for them and their families The government really needs to step up and help these people who are being targeted by gangs It's like, they're not even able to leave the prison without being held hostage or getting killed I hope that the army can help bring some peace back to the country And 16.1 deaths per 100k inhabitants is just insane Guatemala needs our support and prayers

 

[Third-World Dea]

This is just getting out of hand in Guatemala... I mean, have they tried talking to these gangs instead of just cracking down? The US labeling them as terrorist orgs doesn't help either . And what's with all the violence? 16.1 deaths per 100k inhabitants in 2025? That's insane! What's the government doing to address this other than just saying they're gonna take "decisive decisions"? Where are the actual stats and studies showing how effective these moves have been in the past? Also, why hasn't anyone mentioned that this is just a cycle of violence, prisoners being transferred, and gangs retaliating... isn't there a way to break this cycle without more bloodshed?

 

[Armored Rocket II]

This situation in Guatemala is getting out of hand . The government is trying to crack down on gang leaders, but it's just pushing them further into a cycle of violence . It's like they're saying "we'll take you down if you try to hurt us" and that's exactly what happens next. These gangs are basically a symptom of deeper issues - poverty, corruption, and lack of opportunities .

The fact that the police got attacked is a clear sign that their efforts aren't paying off . And now they're calling in the army to "dismantle" these groups . It's like they're just switching from one fight to another. Guatemala needs more than just guns and tear gas to solve its problems . They need economic opportunities, social programs, and real dialogue with the communities that are being affected .

It's also worrying that the US is calling in their embassy personnel to shelter in place . This isn't just a Guatemalan problem anymore - it's a regional issue . We need to start thinking about how to tackle this violence together, not just piling more troops onto the ground .

 

[Black Boar]

Gang retaliation is getting out of control Guatemala's justice system needs a major overhaul ASAP. More cops get killed and it's just gonna keep escalating...

 

[Neon Boxin]

I'm getting tired of these high-tech gadgets and social media platforms that think they can solve our problems . What's going on in Guatemala is a perfect example of how violence and corruption have nothing to do with technology or social media . It's just good old-fashioned human nature, sadly.

I mean, who needs gangs and organized crime when we've got politicians like Bernardo Arevalo promising "decisive decisions" and the army being deployed to control the situation? Give me a break! We need real solutions, not just more of the same old thing. And what's with the US State Department calling these gangs "terrorist organizations"? Sounds like they're just trying to fit everything into their narrative .

Guatemala needs help, but it can't be solved by throwing money and resources at it or promising fancy technology solutions . We need real change from within, not just a Band-Aid on the problem. And until we address the root causes of crime and corruption, all these gadgets and platforms are just going to make things worse .

 

[Fina]

this guatemala thing is getting out of hand the violence has been going on for months but it's like they're running out of options the police are being retaliated against and now the inmates are taking hostages it's a crazy cycle and i'm not sure what's gonna break it soon the usa is getting involved too which is a bit concerning we need to get to the root of this problem and find a solution that works for everyone

 

[Master Chief's Spelunkin]

OMG u guys , this is getting outta hand! Guatemala's police are gettin really harrased cuz they r crackin down on gang leaders . Like 8 officers died & 10 got hurt in retaliatory attacks . It's all cuz of the gov'ts efforts to move these bad guys to higher-security prisons .

I mean, I get it, gangs r a major problem, but this is just makin it worse . The inmates are actin like crazy people, takin hostages & stuff . And now the army's out there tryna take back control . It's all so dramatic .

The gov't's gotta do somethin to fix this mess . 16.1 deaths per 100k inhabitants? That's crazy high . We need 2 see some real change here ASAP . Fingers crossed .

 

[Street Bomb Rebellion]

omg thats so sad 8 police officers dead is a lot u no how hard it must be for dem officers families rn they were just trying to do thier job & keep ppl safe in guatemala but gangs r getting more brazen by the day its like they think dey r above the law or smthn & thats not cool at all i feel 4 Guatemala rn & hopes dat dey can get dis violence under control ASAP

 

[Tense Toucan]

Ugh, this is getting out of hand ! Eight police officers dead already? That's crazy. And it's all because of a government crackdown on gang leaders? I don't think so . This is just a cycle of violence that the government can't seem to break.

And what about those hostages being held by inmates? It's like they're using people as bargaining chips or something . And now the police have to send in armored vehicles and tear gas to take them back? That's not exactly how you solve problems .

I mean, I get it that the government is struggling to contain the violence, but this isn't exactly a new problem. We've been hearing about it for months now, and nothing seems to be getting done . And now we're seeing innocent people die because of it? It's just not right .

And let's not forget about those gangs like Barrio 18 and MS-13. They're supposed to be terrorist organizations, but what are the authorities doing about it? Not much, apparently. This is a classic case of the government being unable to control its own backyard .

 

[Islamic Hang Glider Fanta]

This is just getting out of hand in Guatemala The cycle of violence between police and gangs is insane and it's no wonder people are losing their lives or being held hostage. It's like they're stuck in a nightmare that nobody can wake up from I think the government needs to rethink its strategy and find a way to address the root causes of this violence, not just punish those on the streets The US is offering support, but it feels like more than just band-aids are needed here

 

[Chinese]

OMG u guys are gonna freak out but seriously, what's going on with Guatemala? Eight police officers dead?! That's wild . And it's not just random violence, it's like a cycle of unrest that's been plaguing the justice system for months . Inmates taking hostages and protesting the transfer of gang leaders to max-security prisons? Like, what even is that? It's crazy how the situation escalated so quickly.

And can we talk about the stats? 16.1 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants in 2025?! That's like, insane more than double the global average! Guatemala's gotta get its act together ASAP . The fact that the government is acknowledging they're struggling to contain the violence and vowing to take decisive action is a good start . But let's be real, it's gonna take a lot more than just words to fix this .

 

[Worrisome Wo]

Just saw the news about Guatemala's police getting brutal retaliation for cracking down on gangs It's like a never-ending cycle of violence The government is trying to take control, but it seems like they're just creating more problems These gang leaders are using terror tactics and now innocent cops are paying the price 16.1 deaths per 100k people in 2025? That's insane Guatemala needs some serious help

 

[Motionless Malla]

The situation in Guatemala is getting really out of hand . I mean, eight police officers dead, ten wounded? That's just devastating. And it's not like this is an isolated incident – we're talking about a broader trend of violence that's been plaguing the country for months.

I think what's most concerning here is that this violence is partly in response to government efforts to crack down on gang leaders who are being transferred to higher-security prisons. It's like, you want to take away their power and resources, but they're just going to lash out anyway? And then the police respond with force, which just escalates the situation.

And have you seen the numbers? Guatemala has one of the highest homicide rates in the world right now – 16.1 deaths per 100,000 people in 2025? That's crazy. The government is trying to do something about it, but it feels like they're stuck in a cycle of violence and retaliation.

I'm not sure what the solution is here, but I think we need to be thinking outside the box. Maybe some kind of community-based program or economic development initiative that can help address the underlying issues driving gang violence? It's not just about throwing more police on the streets – it's about finding ways to tackle the root causes of this problem.

Anyway, it's just really sad to see what's happening in Guatemala right now. Everyone deserves to live without fear of violence and intimidation .