Guatemala Cracks Down: New Anti-Gang Law Targets Terror Groups

Guatemala has enacted a new anti-gang law targeting the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs as terrorist organizations. The legislation aims to confine and increase penalties for gang members, following a major prison break. This move aligns with regional trends towards harsher gang-related security measures.

Guatemala has ramped up its efforts to combat gang violence with the passage of a new law categorizing the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs as terrorist entities. This legislation allows for stricter penalties and mandates a new prison specifically for gang offenders.

The law gained urgency after a prison break involving 20 Barrio 18 members earlier this month, an incident that led to the resignation of three key security officials. President Bernardo Arévalo attributed the escape to a coordinated gang effort resisting reforms by then-Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez.

The initiative echoes measures in El Salvador, which curtailed gang violence by suspending certain rights and imprisoning tens of thousands. However, the effectiveness of such hardline tactics has sparked interest and debate among other regional governments.

(With inputs from agencies.)