Twenty convicted members of the Barrio 18 gang fled from a maximum-security prison in Guatemala over the weekend, prompting urgent demands from U.S. officials for their swift recapture. The inmates, designated as terrorists by the United States, managed to bypass security measures at Fraijanes II prison southeast of Guatemala City, according to prison director Ludin Godinez. A report received Friday warned of a potential escape attempt, with investigators now probing claims of insider involvement and corruption among prison staff.
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala condemned the jailbreak as “utterly unacceptable,” vowing to hold accountable anyone who supports the fugitives. American authorities urged Guatemalan officials to act immediately to apprehend the escaped gang members. Barrio 18, a major criminal organization linked to rival MS-13, has been tied to an estimated 200,000 deaths over three decades, according to Salvadoran government estimates.
El Salvador’s president recently praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for designating Barrio 18 as a terrorist group, citing its destructive impact on societies. The leader emphasized the importance of international collaboration in combating such organizations.
