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Guatemala youth jail riot leaves two guards dead Guatemala police rescue hostages from rioting youth jail inmates
(about 17 hours later)
Two guards have been killed in a riot at a youth detention centre in Guatemala, police say. Riot police in Guatemala have entered a youth detention centre and rescued four hostages from rioting inmates.
Five more have been injured and are being held hostage at the Etapa II centre in the capital, Guatemala City. One of the four guards rescued has died and two others are seriously injured.
The inmates are demanding that they be allowed to receive food parcels and be given permission to cook their own meals. The inmates took control of the compound after family visiting hours on Sunday, killing two guards and shooting another one.
Riot police surrounded the jail and fired tear gas but have so far failed to regain control of the prison. Officials say the Etapa II centre in the capital, Guatemala City, is controlled by the notorious 18th Street Gang, active across Central America.
The inmates set mattresses alight and climbed the roof of the detention centre. Some tried to escape. The inmates set mattresses alight and climbed the roof of the detention centre on Sunday. Some tried to escape.
Officials said the riot was started by members of the 18th Street Gang, one of Central America's most notorious gangs.
Among their demands was that fellow gang members held at other jails be transferred to Etapa II.Among their demands was that fellow gang members held at other jails be transferred to Etapa II.
Witnesses said inmates from the 18th Street Gang also threatened to kill members of rival gang Paisas if they refused to take part in the riot. They also want the right to cook their own meals or to have food brought in from outside.
Witnesses said inmates from the 18th Street Gang threatened to kill members of rival gang Paisas if they refused to take part in the riot.
Members of violent street gangs make up the bulk of Guatemala's prison population and deadly conflict inside prison walls is not uncommon.Members of violent street gangs make up the bulk of Guatemala's prison population and deadly conflict inside prison walls is not uncommon.
Hours after the riot started on Sunday, smoke could still be seen coming from parts of the detention centre.
The incident comes less than two weeks after 40 girls died in a fire at a state-run children's shelter, also near Guatemala City.The incident comes less than two weeks after 40 girls died in a fire at a state-run children's shelter, also near Guatemala City.
That fire, too, is believed to have started when a mattress was set alight.That fire, too, is believed to have started when a mattress was set alight.
The two cases have highlighted the poor state of children's and youth services in Guatemala, activists say.The two cases have highlighted the poor state of children's and youth services in Guatemala, activists say.