Hundreds of anti-riot police entered a maximum security prison in Guatemala early Sunday, freeing guards who had been taken hostage and retaking control of the facility that houses gang leaders. Shots sounded as police swept into the Renovation prison, about 45 miles southwest of Guatemala City. About 15 minutes later, guards who appeared to be unharmed were escorted out, per the AP. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported. But a short time later, reports began to emerge of attacks on police in the capital.
National Civil Police Director David Custodio Botero said there were at least 10 armed attacks against police, leaving three dead and at least five wounded. Five attackers were captured, he said. Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said Saturday night that nine guards were taken hostage in the prison. Some three dozen other guards were being held at two other prisons, where inmates took control in what the government called a coordinated uprising Saturday. All told, 46 people were held, per Reuters.
The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the inmate uprising was a direct result of the prison administrators' decision to strip privileges from some imprisoned gang leaders. "In Guatemala, we don't negotiate with terrorists nor with organized crime," the statement said. "We also don't allow groups that have sown fear to impose their conditions."