17 dead in fight at overcrowded Guatemala prison

ESCUINTLA, Guatemala (AP) — Seventeen prisoners were killed in a gang brawl inside an overcrowded Guatemalan prison, including seven who were decapitated, officials said Monday.

Victor Mijangos, assistant prosecutor for the Escuintla district, said the fight broke out Sunday afternoon in the Canada Rehabilitation Farm about 45 miles (70 kilometers) south of the capital.

“All were killed by machete and knife wounds,” said Mijangos, who entered the prison. Officials found 16 bodies together inside and one more prisoner died of his wounds at a hospital.

He said officials found the heads of three men, apparently the leaders of a group, on top of a table. No one was killed or wounded by gunfire, he said. Another government official said earlier that the fight started with gunfire.

Prison system spokesman Rudy Esquivel said the prison was designed to hold 600 inmates, but houses 3,092. He said firefighters had removed 16 bodies from the prison and they were still being identified.

Elsa Rodriguez said she identified her son Estuardo Gregorio Rodriguez, 23, from a photograph a funeral home employee showed her. She was among about 100 people waited outside a morgue for the victims’ bodies to be released to their families.

Esquivel said the fight apparently erupted between members of the Mara 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs and fellow inmates who don’t belong to the gangs.

Two thousand police entered the prison to retake control and collect evidence.

Mariela Rodas was inside the prison Sunday visiting her son when she said gunfire broke out around 3:30 p.m.

“My son told me to get out fast so nothing would happen to me. I think they already knew,” Rodas said. “Then we heard gunshots and we all ran.”

Dozens of family members waited outside the prison for word of their relatives on Monday.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

The Theodore Roosevelt Office Building in Washington, home of the Office of Personnel Management, on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. The Office of Personnel Management, the agency that manages the federal civilian work force and is coordinating an effort by the Trump administration to drastically reduce the size of the federal work force, laid off dozens of employees on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, according to people familiar with the move. (Valerie Plesch/The New York Times)
Mass firings ordered by Trump administration, including nearly 10% of U.S. Forest Service

Terminations primarily target probationary employees with less than two years’ experience.

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola speaks at the Alaska Democratic Party’s state convention on May 18, 2024, at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Report: Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola likely to run for governor in 2026

Democrat ousted in November would likely face crowded field in open race for Alaska’s top spot.

Meilani Schijvens, owner of Rain Coast Data, discusses regional economic data complied by her company during Southeast Conference’s Mid-Season Summit at Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Five-year economic plan for Southeast suggests spending $300M to address top priority of housing

Other top goals include boosting seafood marketing, renewable energy, locally-owned tourism enterprises

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Alaska Supreme Court chief justice Susan Carney poses for a photo in a seventh-floor office of the state courthouse in Juneau on Feb 11, 2025. (Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
Who is Susan Carney, Alaska’s new chief justice?

For the first time in Alaska history, the state’s supreme court is… Continue reading

Alaska Chief Justice Susan Carney speaks to the Alaska Legislature on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. At background are Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak (left) and Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham (right). (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska chief justice vows speedier trials after investigative journalists find problems

In her first address to the Alaska Legislature since becoming head of… Continue reading

Joann, the arts and crafts chain, announced it will close its Juneau location. An employee is seen working at the store on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Joann craft store is one of 500 closing across the US

Company filing for bankruptcy; property manager at mall said it’s unknown when local store will close.

Most Read