Villeda clarified that the unrest is being driven by the Barrio 18 gang. The inmates are demanding that their leader be transferred to another facility with more comfortable conditions and privileges.
The minister emphasized: "I am not going to make deals with terrorist groups, and I will not succumb to blackmail by restoring their privileges in exchange for ending the riots."
It is worth noting that such riots in Guatemalan prisons occur regularly; however, the current number of hostages is a record compared to previous incidents.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that security forces, including the army, maintain full control over the prison territory and are taking measures to restore order and ensure safety in the surrounding areas.
