Guatemala declares state of siege after gang attacks kill 7 police officers

5 articles, oldest first.

1. Independent Journal Review

   Guatemala Declares Siege After Gangsters Seize Prisons, Take Hostages ↗ (opens Independent Journal Review)

   Published Jan 18, 2026

   Independent Journal Review's feed description

   Guatemalan authorities declared a state of siege Sunday in response to three coordinated prison-gang uprisings and the related killing of

2. The Guardian

   Guatemala declares state of emergency after eight police officers killed in prison gang violence ↗ (opens The Guardian)

   Published Jan 18, 2026

   The Guardian's feed description

   President announces 30-day order after inmates also took 46 people hostage at three prisons

3. Newsweek

   Guatemala declares state of siege after gang attacks kill 7 police officers ↗ (opens Newsweek)

   Published Jan 18, 2026

   Newsweek's feed description

   Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo declared a 30-day state of siege following gang attacks that killed seven police officers.

4. BNO News

   Guatemala declares state of siege after gang attacks kill 8 police officers ↗ (opens BNO News)

   Published Jan 18, 2026

   BNO News's feed description

   Guatemala has declared a nationwide state of siege after coordinated gang attacks killed eight police officers and wounded others, following prison riots in which inmates took dozens of hostages, according to President Bernardo Arévalo.

5. Deutsche Welle

   Guatemala declares state of siege after gang violence ↗ (opens Deutsche Welle)

   Published Jan 18, 2026

   Deutsche Welle's feed description

   Guatemala is in a state of emergency following a weekend of gang-related violence. Gang-affiliated inmates rioted in three prisons. Seven police officers were killed as authorities took action.