Guatemala Transfers 225 Barrio 18 Gang Members

Guatemalan authorities transferred 225 members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang from the "El Infiernito" maximum security prison, where they enjoyed amenities like TVs, refrigerators, and even kept wild animals and a "call center" for extortion and ordering crimes.

"Not a single inmate remains in 'El Infiernito'. This prison belongs to the country again. We'll restructure it as a true maximum security facility," Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez stated, vowing "No more vacations" for inmates after finding air conditioning units, farm animals, crocodiles and prior discoveries of a call center.

The massive operation involved 400 police officers and environmental agents who rescued wild animals like crocodiles, raccoons, and hawks, evidence of "complete lack of control," Jiménez lamented. Authorities seek to identify those responsible for smuggling in exotic animals.

Vice Minister Claudia Palencia blamed "previous governments" for ceding prison control to criminals, allowing inmates "comfort" for over three decades due to lack of prison system overhaul in infrastructure, technology and guard conditions.

"We'll first find all hidden spaces, even if we have to demolish walls and floors, then convert it into a real high-security prison with strict controls and technology use," Jiménez asserted.

The operation came after President Arévalo acknowledged capital areas live "prisoners" of gangs, reacting to a UN call to stop child recruitment by gangs like Barrio 18 and MS-13 fighting for extortion territory control, killing those who refuse to pay.

Authorities admit most extortion calls originate from prisons. Criminal violence left 4,361 homicides in Guatemala in 2023, half attributed to drug trafficking and gangs.