Related Article: Guatemalan prison guards freed after being held hostage by gang members - yahoo.com - Saturday, August 16, 2025, 4:23:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Target: Guatemalan Ministry of the Interior, National Prison System, and President of Guatemala
Goal: We call on the Guatemalan government and relevant authorities to implement comprehensive reforms to ensure humane treatment of prisoners, protect prison staff, and address the root causes of violence and unrest in the prison system.
The recent hostage crisis in Guatemalan prisons, involving the gangs Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, has resulted in violence, loss of life, and ongoing instability. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a pattern of neglect, overcrowding, and lack of oversight in the prison system. Prisoners, regardless of their crimes, are entitled to humane treatment under international law. The use of solitary confinement, lack of rehabilitation programs, and poor conditions fuel desperation and violence, endangering both inmates and staff.
We urge Guatemalan authorities to address these issues through meaningful reforms that prioritize human rights, safety, and rehabilitation over punitive measures. Only through systemic change can the cycle of violence be broken and true justice achieved.