Spanish
Guatemala City,.- The Government of Guatemala suspended the operation of public schools and private schools this Sunday for Monday due to the wave of violence in the Central American country.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Education stated in a press release that the measure aims to "prioritize" the safety of students.
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The suspension takes place amidst a wave of violence in the nation presided over by Bernardo Arévalo de León, following several riots in prisons and the murder of at least seven agents of the National Civil Police, allegedly at the hands of gang members in both cases. That is why the school year, which just began last week, will be suspended on Monday. The murder of the seven police officers took place due to multiple attacks in various parts of the country's capital, amidst several riots that have been recorded in the prisons by gangs, so it is not ruled out that both events are linked. The Minister of Governance (Interior), Marco Villeda, confirmed the number of deaths in a press conference this noon, and added that he is "grieved" by the death of the police at the hands of "terrorists". Similarly, he stated that seven gang members who allegedly participated in the armed attacks have been arrested. The first two deceased agents died in an attack perpetrated a few kilometers from the center of Guatemala City, according to the Municipal Firefighters."The State will not kneel before these criminals," Villeda assured.
Regarding the riots, security forces regained control this Sunday of the maximum-security prison called 'Renovación I', in the south of the country, after a revolt recorded on Saturday. The National Civil Police indicated that the leader of the gang called Barrio 18, Aldo Ochoa, one of the promoters of the riot, was "neutralized", who demanded his transfer to another prison in addition to various amenities such as air conditioning and home delivery food. In the second half of 2025, the 'Barrio 18' and 'Mara Salvatrucha' gangs maintained a fierce struggle with the Government of Guatemala for control of the prisons, after their leaders were transferred on July 31st to the maximum security prison 'Renovación I' to be isolated, which has caused constant riots in the penitentiary centers since then.
