At least 46 taken hostage in Guatemala prison riots

MEXICO CITY, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Riots broke out Saturday at three prisons in Guatemala, where inmates took at least 46 people hostage, Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said.

Villeda said at a news conference that the unrest was orchestrated by the Barrio 18 gang, which he said was seeking prison transfers and special treatment for jailed gang leaders.

No hostages have been reported injured.

The Interior Ministry said authorities have secured the affected facilities and activated emergency protocols, reiterating that the government will not negotiate with organized crime.

Given the gang violence, Guatemala's Ministry of Education on Sunday announced suspension of classes starting Jan. 19 at private, cooperative and municipal educational institutions nationwide as a preventive security measure. ■