"Ten police officers have been killed in a wave of coordinated gangster attacks in Guatemala that began with prison riots in three facilities and fanned out onto the streets of the capital in retribution killings, leading the government to declare a state of emergency. Officials confirmed late on Monday that a 10th police officer died following the attacks, as the country's lawmakers approved the 30-day state of emergency that had come into effect the previous day"
"On Monday, the government gazette published President Bernardo Arevalo's declaration of the state of emergency, which limits freedom of action and demonstrations and allows police to arrest people without a judicial order if they are suspected gang members. The declaration, condemning the coordinated actions of the gangsters against state forces, which included armed attacks against civilian authorities, also gives police powers to prohibit the movement of vehicles in certain places or subject them to searches."
Prison riots by Barrio 18 inmates who took dozens of guards hostage triggered coordinated attacks that spilled onto Guatemala City's streets, killing ten police officers. Violence escalated after security forces regained control of a prison holding gang leader Aldo El Lobo Duppie. Lawmakers approved a 30-day state of emergency granting police powers to limit demonstrations, arrest suspected gang members without judicial orders, prohibit vehicle movements, and conduct searches. Authorities said Barrio 18 and rival Mara Salvatrucha are involved in regional drug trafficking and were demanding privileges for members and leaders. Heavy security and ceremonies honored fallen officers amid national fear and outrage.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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