IACHR condemns prison violence and attacks on police officers in Guatemala

February 2, 2026

Washington, DC—The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) condemns prison riots and hostage situations in three Guatemalan prisons, which were followed by attacks on officers of the country’s National Civilian Police (PNC). The IACHR calls on the State to take effective action to protect the lives and personal integrity of police officers and of individuals who are deprived of liberty. The IACHR also calls on Guatemalan authorities to investigate these events and prevent similar incidents from happening again in the future, as well as to identify and punish their perpetrators and masterminds.

On January 17–18, 2026, there were simultaneous prison mutinies and hostage situations led by organized crime groups at the maximum security prison Renovación I, at the Fraijanes II penitentiary, and at the preventive detention facility in Zone 18. Inmates allegedly went on riots to complain about the review or elimination of benefits that the State considered illegal.

On January 18, after the authorities managed to regain control of the three facilities and hostages were released, armed attacks were perpetrated against PNC officers in several areas of the country, allegedly in retaliation for events inside penitentiary facilities and with the aim of instilling fear. Nine PNC officers were killed in these attacks. Guatemala’s President declared a 30-day state of emergency starting on January 18, and Congress later ratified it.

The IACHR notes with concern that these events happened at the start of proceedings to renew authorities in the judiciary and other democratic institutions in Guatemala, including the Supreme Electoral Court, the Constitutional Court, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and the General Audit Office.

The IACHR calls on the State to investigate ex officio—in a serious, swift, and impartial way, and with due diligence—the killings of PNC officers and to identify and punish the people responsible for them, as well as to prevent similar events from happening again in the future. The IACHR stresses the State’s obligation to take concrete action to protect the lives and integrity of all individuals in its custody and of all prison staff members.

The State of Guatemala must protect the integrity of all detainees and prison officers and keep prison facilities safe. This implies preventing and controlling potential riots and other outbreaks of violence within prisons; preventing the actions of criminal organizations within penitentiaries; enforcing effective control to keep illegal objects out of penitentiary facilities; restoring safety; and increasing the number of security officers within penitentiaries. The State must also review the need for a state of emergency.

Finally, the IACHR—based on the findings and recommendations mentioned in its 2025 report on the situation of human rights in Guatemala—urges the State to ensure the integrity of all procedures set to be completed to elect authorities in 2026, in keeping with the applicable inter-American standards, as an essential tenet to strengthen the rule of law. In this context, the IACHR urges Guatemalan authorities to step up efforts to ensure that these procedures are conducted with all necessary security and transparency safeguards.

The IACHR is an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS) whose mandate is based on the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. Its mission is to promote and defend human rights throughout the Americas and to serve as an advisory body to the OAS in this area. The IACHR consists of seven independent members elected by the OAS General Assembly who serve in a personal capacity and do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

No. 020/26

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