Guatemala passes anti-gang legislation, declares gangs terrorist teams

Guatemala handed a brand new anti-gang legislation on Tuesday (October 21, 2025) aimed toward giving the federal government extra sources to struggle the teams, which at the moment are thought-about terrorist organisations.

The legislation designates the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs as terrorist teams, will increase jail sentences for gang members convicted of crimes, and orders the development of a brand new jail for gang members.

The laws, which had been in limbo for years, gained momentum following the escape of 20 members of Barrio 18 from a jail earlier this month. That safety failure led President Bernardo Arévalo to just accept the resignations of three prime safety officers final week.

On Tuesday, earlier than the laws handed, Mr. Arévalo stated the escape had been a coordinated plot by the gang, which was annoyed by steps his then-Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez was taking to toughen circumstances for them in jail. Police stated {that a} fourth gang member who escaped with the group had been recaptured.

In September, the Mr. Trump administration designated Barrio 18 as a overseas terrorist organisation, one thing it had already completed with Mara Salvatrucha.

Guatemala’s neighbour, El Salvador, has efficiently decimated the gangs in its territory, however has completed so by suspending some elementary rights below a greater than three-year state of emergency and placing greater than 80,000 individuals into jail.

Still, its safety success has drawn the eye of different leaders within the area and elevated calls from their constituents for more durable measures towards gangs.