Group 1 - The Guatemalan Ministry of Education announced a nationwide school closure for one day on January 19 to ensure the safety of students and staff due to ongoing violence stemming from prison riots [1] - The violence originated from large-scale riots in three prisons on January 17, leading to the cancellation of scheduled cultural events in the capital, Guatemala City [2] - The Guatemalan National Police regained control of the "Rebirth One" prison and apprehended the leader of the "18th Street Gang," but armed attacks against police occurred in multiple locations following the restoration of order [2][3] Group 2 - At least seven police officers were killed and ten injured during the violent incidents, with the Interior Minister stating that the government will not negotiate with gang members [2] - The "18th Street Gang" orchestrated the riots to demand special treatment for imprisoned leaders and took at least 46 hostages, with 37 still held in other prisons [3] - The gang, which originated in Los Angeles, is involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder, and is primarily active in Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras [3]

Group 1 - The Guatemalan Ministry of Education announced a nationwide school closure for one day on the 19th to ensure the safety of students and staff due to ongoing violence stemming from prison riots [1] - The violence originated from large-scale riots in three prisons on the 17th, leading to the police regaining control of the "Reform One" prison and apprehending the leader of the "18th Street Gang" [1][2] - Following the restoration of order in the "Reform One" prison, armed attacks against police occurred in multiple locations, resulting in at least 7 police officers killed and 10 injured [1] Group 2 - The "18th Street Gang" orchestrated the riots to demand the transfer and special treatment of imprisoned leaders, taking at least 46 hostages [2] - After the police regained control of the "Reform One" prison, 37 hostages remained in two other prisons [2] - The "18th Street Gang," which originated in Los Angeles, is involved in various criminal activities including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder, and is primarily active in Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras [2]

Core Viewpoint - The article reports on a prison riot in Guatemala, orchestrated by the gang "Mara 18," resulting in the hostage-taking of at least 46 individuals, with no reported casualties so far [1]. Group 1: Incident Details - The riot occurred in three prisons on January 17, as stated by the Guatemalan Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villalba [1]. - The primary motive behind the riot was to seek better treatment and transfer for imprisoned gang leaders [1]. Group 2: Government Response - The Guatemalan Ministry of the Interior announced that comprehensive control measures have been implemented in the affected prison facilities, along with the activation of emergency plans [1]. - The government emphasized its stance against compromising with organized crime [1]. Group 3: Background on the Gang - "Mara 18" originated in Los Angeles, USA, and is currently active in Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras [1]. - The gang is involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping, and murder [1].

Core Viewpoint - A riot occurred in a prison in Machala, El Oro province, Ecuador, resulting in at least 4 inmate deaths and numerous injuries, linked to the transfer of inmates to a new high-security facility [1] Summary by Relevant Sections Incident Details - The riot was triggered by the planned transfer of certain inmates to a newly constructed high-security prison [1] - Approximately 250 police and military personnel were deployed to control the situation, which lasted for 7 hours [1] - During the aftermath, two firearms and three suspected explosive devices were discovered [1] Background Context - The initial investigation suggests that the riot may have been instigated by rival gangs fighting for control within the prison [1] - Ecuador has experienced a rise in violent incidents in prisons, often related to gang conflicts over territorial control [1] - In September, similar gang-related clashes in Machala and Esmeraldas prisons resulted in the deaths of 30 inmates and 1 prison guard [1]

Core Viewpoint - A riot in a prison in Machala, El Oro Province, Ecuador, resulted in 14 deaths, including 13 inmates and 1 guard, with 14 others injured and several inmates escaping [1] Group 1: Incident Details - The riot lasted approximately 40 minutes, during which inmates fired guns and threw bombs and grenades [1] - 13 escapees have been recaptured, and authorities have stated that control of the prison has been restored [1] Group 2: Causes and Context - The violence was attributed to gang conflicts, with the deceased inmates belonging to Ecuador's two largest drug trafficking organizations [1] - There has been a rise in violent incidents in Ecuador due to rival gangs linked to Mexican and Colombian drug cartels fighting for control [1] - Since February 2021, nearly 600 inmates have died in prison riots across Ecuador [1]