Guatemalan police transfer over 200 gang members from luxury prison 'El Infiernito'

Over 400 police officers from Guatemala took part in a massive operation to relocate 225 members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang from the El Infiernito prison, also known as "Little Hell." The gang members were found to be running a call center for criminal activities, raising chickens, and enjoying various luxuries within the prison premises.

"The prison once again belongs to the country," announced Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez. He pledged to overhaul the facility and transform it into a legitimate maximum-security prison. He emphasized on social media, "These are prisons, NOT holidays."

Eliminating Criminal Infrastructure

During the operation, it was revealed that the inmates had access to amenities such as TV sets, fridges, and air conditioning, which are not typically associated with prison life. Authorities also uncovered a makeshift "call center" used by the gang members for extortion and issuing criminal orders. Video and images released by officials shed light on the alarming conditions within the prison.

Fighting Gang Control

The crackdown on El Infiernito comes in the wake of President Bernardo Arevalo's declaration that certain areas of Guatemala City were under the control of gangs. The United Nations has urged for measures to prevent the recruitment of minors by criminal organizations, as the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs continue to vie for control and extort money from both businesses and individuals in the country.

Addressing Criminal Violence

Authorities reported that criminal violence resulted in 4,361 deaths in Guatemala in 2023, with approximately half of these attributed to gang conflicts and drug trafficking. The country has experienced a concerning rate of 25 violent deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. The situation underscores the grave impact of gang rivalry and organized crime on the safety and security of the region.

History of Prison Violence

Guatemala's prisons have been marred by incidents of extreme violence in recent years. Rival gang clashes in 2021 led to the deaths of at least seven inmates in a Quetzaltenango jail, with several being beheaded during the altercation. Additionally, previous incidents in 2020 and 2019 saw guards being taken hostage and fatal shootings within prison facilities near the capital city. A riot in 2016 resulted in the deaths of eight inmates and left over 20 others injured.

The government's recent intervention at El Infiernito is a decisive step in addressing the complex challenges posed by gang activity and criminal violence, underscoring the ongoing efforts to establish security and stability in Guatemala.