"In a joint operation between Guatemala’s Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Defence on Sunday, authorities contained a prison riot and secured the release of eight guards who had been held hostage by inmates from the Barrio 18 and Mara Sur 13 gangs at the Preventive Detention Centre for Men in Zone 18. Footage shows Special Forces officers of the National Civil Police (PNC) entering the prison in formation while wearing gas masks. The riot stemmed from prisoner demands to transfer their leaders to lower-security facilities. Hans Lemus, spokesperson for the Benemerito Volunteer Firefighters, reported that their personnel were present for two days supporting the penitentiary system and the National Civil Police in regaining control of the facility. “We have now gained access at the request of the Penitentiary System and PNC officers, where eight prison officers who had been held during this time are being evaluated," Lemus explained. He also noted that several armed incidents occurred during clashes between authorities and gang members, leaving two police officers injured and three dead. "Yes, today volunteer firefighters attended three armed incidents involving PNC officers," Lemus stated. The prison entry was carried out through a tactical deployment of Special Forces, who advanced in strategic formation with firearms drawn, aiming to restore order and subdue the inmates involved in the riot. Meanwhile, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced in a message to the media that full control had been restored over the three rioting prisons - Renovacion I, the Preventive Detention Centre in Zone 18, and Fraijanes 2 Detention Centre - with a total of seven police officers confirmed dead. Arevalo also declared a 30-day State of Siege in Guatemala to intensify the fight against criminal groups."