A state of emergency was declared in Guatemala after revenge attacks by gangsters

The death toll from attacks suspected of being carried out by criminal gangs against the police in Guatemala rose to 10 people on Monday, at a time when Guatemalans witnessed an intense security deployment in the streets, following Congress’ approval of the declaration of a state of emergency approved by President Bernardo Arevalo.

Officials reported late Monday that a tenth policeman had died of his wounds as a result of those attacks.

The police held an official memorial service in honor of the officers who died.

The attacks on police in and around Guatemala City occurred after hundreds of riot police stormed the Renovación prison in Escuintla, about 47 miles (76 kilometers) southwest of the capital, to free nine guards who were being held hostage there. Imprisoned gang leaders often order members outside prison walls to launch retaliatory attacks.

President Bernardo Arevalo later said on the X platform that he had ordered police and soldiers into the streets, and was scheduled to address the nation on television.

Gunshots rang out as riot control teams invaded the facility housing gang leaders. About 15 minutes later, an Associated Press journalist saw the released guards being led out of the prison. They appeared to be unharmed, and no injuries or deaths were immediately reported.

Later Sunday, authorities regained control of a second prison on the northern side of the capital. The National Civil Police said six guards were freed there. Then the police announced that they had raided the third prison and freed 28 guards.

Prisoners had taken control of the three prisons the previous day in a coordinated uprising to protest a decision by prison directors to strip some jailed gang leaders of their privileges.