Guatemala Declares Gangs as Terrorist Groups

Guatemala’s congress passed a sweeping anti-gang bill this week that designates the country’s most powerful criminal organizations as terrorist groups, a move observers say is similar to measures imposed in neighboring El Salvador to address the rising crime rate, the Associated Press reported.

On Tuesday, lawmakers approved a bill that will designate groups such as Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) as terrorist organizations, increase penalties for their gang members, and authorize the construction of a new maximum-security prison to isolate gang leaders.

Under the new law, major gang cases can be transferred to high-impact courts, which give judges powers to freeze assets and stiffen sentences for extortion and gang recruitment – crimes that have driven up homicide and extortion rates across the country, according to the Rio Times.

The measure had been in limbo for years, but gained momentum after 20 members of Barrio 18 escaped from the Fraijanes II prison earlier this month, an incident that exposed severe weaknesses in the country’s security system.

President Bernardo Arévalo accepted the resignations of his interior minister and two deputies last week following the jailbreak. Authorities said Tuesday that four of the escaped inmates had since been recaptured.

Arévalo said the jailbreak was part of a coordinated plot by gang members angered by tougher prison measures imposed by his administration. He added that the anti-gang bill would enhance cooperation with international partners and allow financial investigations targeting gang operations.

The designation follows similar moves across the Americas to address rising gang violence.

In February, the United States designated MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization and extended the designation to Barrio 18 in September.

Meanwhile, neighboring El Salvador has gained international attention for its years-long state of emergency that allowed authorities to launch a mass crackdown on criminal gangs.

More than 80,000 people have been arrested, which the government and its supporters have hailed for reducing violent crime even as human rights groups have warned of abuses and due-process risks.