Guatemala declares 30-day nationwide state of siege after deadly attacks on police

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has declared a nationwide state of siege for 30 days following a wave of coordinated attacks against the country's National Civil Police, which left at least seven officers dead, authorities said Sunday.

The emergency measure seeks to strengthen state action against criminal gangs and guarantee public security, Arevalo said, after violence erupted in connection with prison riots in which gang members took 46 people hostage at three detention centers.

Arevalo also decreed three days of national mourning for the fallen officers and confirmed that authorities have regained control of the three prisons where unrest was reported.

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said that the attacks were linked to riots inside the detention facilities and that security forces remain on high alert.

In a statement, the Guatemalan government referred to the violence as a retaliation by criminal gangs against state actions, stressing that authorities "do not yield or negotiate with terrorists."

The president said the National Civil Police and the army will remain deployed nationwide to protect the population and maintain public order.