8 police officers killed in retaliatory attacks in Guatemala after prison crackdown on gangs

Gangs killed eight cops today in Guatemala, in retaliation for the Guatemalan government’s refusal to transfer gang leaders to a lower-security prison.

The killings took place in Guatemala City and its suburbs a day after inmate gang members took 46 people hostage in three Guatemalan prisons. Police regained control of one of the prisons today.

Guatemala’s police agency lamented the “death of eight of its officers in the line of duty at the hands of criminals.”

Ten other police officers were wounded in the retaliatory attacks, and a gang member was killed.

On Sunday morning, cops and soldiers in armored vehicles entered the Renovacion I maximum-security prison in Escuintla, about 45 miles south of Guatemala’s capital, releasing tear gas.

After 15 minutes, they were able to retake control of the prison from inmates, and freed guards who had beeb held hostage.

“It was an operation that unfolded without casualties on either side, and we managed to rescue the nine hostages that these terrorists had in their power,” the Guatemalan Interior Minister said.

His office posted a video showing officers handcuffing and leading away the leader of the Barrio 18 gang, Aldo Dupie, who is also known as “El Lobo” (The Wolf). He was wearing bloodstained clothing.