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January 20, 2026

Guatemala Declares State of Emergency After 10 Police Officers Killed
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Guatemala has declared a state of emergency after 10 police officers
have been killed in a wave of coordinated attacks. The violence started
over the weekend when inmates held dozens of guards hostage at three
prisons, demanding privileges for gang members and leaders. Guatemalan
President Bernardo Arévalo's state of emergency allows authorities to
limit demonstrations and enables the police to arrest anyone suspected
of being a gang member without an arrest warrant.


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