The head of the country's Ministry of the Interior, Marco Antonio Villeda, stated at a press conference that there is currently no confirmed information about casualties or injuries among the hostages.
According to the minister, the unrest was organized by members of the Barrio 18 gang. They are demanding the transfer of their leader to a more comfortable facility with better conditions and privileges.
Villeda emphasized: "I will not make deals with terrorist groups, I will not succumb to blackmail, and I will not embrace their privileges in exchange for ending the riots."
Reuters notes that such riots in Guatemalan prisons are not uncommon; however, the number of hostages in the current incident is significantly higher than in previous cases.
The Ministry of the Interior reported that security forces, including military personnel, fully control the perimeter of the prisons and are working to restore order and ensure safety around the buildings.
