Central America

Guatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break

Guatemala’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed early Monday the arrest of one of the 20 inmates affiliated with the Barrio 18 gang who escaped from prison over the weekend, a situation authorities uncovered after conducting an inmate count.

The detainee, identified as Byron Eduardo Fajardo Revolorio, also known as “Black Demon,” was captured early Monday in the eastern department of Santa Rosa, along with members of his family.

On Sunday, the national prison system reported that 20 inmates were missing following an inspection at the facility. The U.S. government designated Barrio 18 as a terrorist organization in September, citing its role in widespread violence and insecurity across the region.

In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala described the mass escape as “completely unacceptable” and urged authorities to swiftly recapture all fugitives.

Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez confirmed to The Associated Press that he had dismissed the director of the National Penitentiary System, Ludin Godínez, as well as the warden of the facility where the escape occurred. Complaints have been filed to determine those responsible.

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During a press conference, Jiménez added that nine officials in total were removed from their posts, including directors and deputy directors of the Fraijanes II, Mariscal Zavala, Izabal, and Renovación I prisons.

The minister also warned that, following the U.S. designation of Barrio 18 as a terrorist group, anyone found aiding its members will face prosecution. He announced rewards of up to $20,000 for information leading to the capture of each escaped inmate.

Central America

Fraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates

The Director of the Guatemalan Penitentiary System, Ludin Astolfo Godínez, confirmed the escape of 20 members of the 18th Street gang who were serving sentences at the Fraijanes II Preventive Detention Center for Men.

During a press conference on Sunday, Godínez stated that the escape was not simultaneous, but occurred gradually, in pairs or individually. Authorities are still investigating the exact details of how the incident took place.

The official noted that a headcount revealed the absence of 20 inmates, all affiliated with the 18th Street gang.

Godínez also indicated that corruption or bribery may have facilitated the escape, and investigations are ongoing to clarify this aspect.

“This is an escape from justice. The inmates bypassed the control, registration, and security systems. There may have been involvement from administrative personnel responsible for their custody, and we will not rule that out,” said Godínez.

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Central America

U.S. suspends Venezuela talks as Trump considers next phase of military campaign

U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended diplomatic efforts with Venezuela and instructed his special envoy, Richard Grenell, to halt all negotiations, a senior U.S. official confirmed on Monday. The move comes amid growing fears of a military escalation between the two countries and after Trump stated on Sunday that there were “no boats left in the Caribbean,” referring to previous attacks, adding that he might “have to start looking on land.”

Speaking from the Oval Office alongside senior military officials last Thursday, Trump directed Grenell to stop all diplomatic initiatives with Caracas. The decision, revealed later by a U.S. official, confirms that the administration has abandoned the diplomatic path for now.

When asked whether Trump was considering military action inside Venezuela, the official, quoted by Reuters, said the president had not yet decided whether to move his campaign into a second phase.

Central America

Two adults and a child die after landslide in northwestern Costa Rica

Two adults and a minor died after a landslide triggered by heavy rains buried their home in the province of Alajuela, in northwestern Costa Rica, the Red Cross reported on Sunday.

The incident was reported to emergency services late Saturday night following intense rainfall in the town of San Ramón, Alajuela.

“After more than five hours of intense search and rescue efforts, we recovered the bodies of two adults and a minor, who were found without vital signs at the scene,” the Red Cross said via its official WhatsApp channel.

Three other people who were inside the house at the time of the landslide managed to escape “on their own,” the agency added.

According to the National Meteorological Institute (IMN), Costa Rica is currently experiencing widespread atmospheric instability caused in part by a tropical wave, which is expected to bring heavy downpours across various regions of the country.