Guatemala Takes Back Control of Gang-Dominated Prison with Crocodiles and Call Center
Guatemala’s police force successfully transferred 225 members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang who had completely seized control of the prison known as “El Infiernito.” The gang members had been raising chickens and crocodiles within the prison walls, as well as operating a call center to extort money and order crimes outside of the prison.
“There is not a single inmate left in the El Infiernito prison” following the massive transfer of gang members under the watchful eye of 400 police officers. “This prison belongs to the country once again. We will restructure it to become a high-security prison,” stated Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez on the social network X.
Once renovations are completed, the prison will once again house inmates, but this time under strict regulations. Jiménez emphasized, “This is a prison, NOT a vacation spot.”
Images released by the minister revealed that some inmates were in possession of air conditioning units, televisions, and refrigerators in the maximum-security facility known as “El Infiernito,” located 70 km south of the capital Guatemala City. The discovery of farm animals like chickens roaming freely, a pool with crocodiles, raccoons, gray foxes, hawks, and other birds of prey showcased the complete lack of control within the prison grounds.
During a previous police raid, a call center equipped with cell phones and internet connection was dismantled. Jiménez vowed to thoroughly search for hidden stashes of money, firearms, and phones, even if it requires tearing down walls and floors. The goal is to transform the prison into a secure facility with strict controls.
Authorities are currently seeking a suitable location to relocate the animals found within the prison and are working to identify those responsible for introducing them. Vice-Minister of Security Claudia Palencia, who visited the prison after the transfers, noted that the facility had been neglected by past governments for over thirty years, allowing inmates to live comfortably.
The Barrio 18 gang is known for extorting local businesses. Authorities have acknowledged that a significant number of extortion calls originate from prisons.
This transfer comes in the wake of President Bernardo Arévalo’s admission that certain parts of the capital were under the control of gangs. In 2023, Guatemala recorded over 4,360 homicides, with half attributed to drug trafficking and gang-related crimes, resulting in a rate of 25 per 100,000 inhabitants in the country with a population of 17.3 million.