Latest news with #FranciscoJiménez
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Gangs in Guatemala stage prison riots to demand the return of 10 leaders moved to other prisons
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Members of Guatemala' s two largest gangs — Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha — staged riots in two Guatemalan prisons on Tuesday, demanding the return of 10 leaders who were sent to other prisons and placed in solitary confinement. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told The Associated Press that the gang members are holding at least six guards — one of whom was shot — hostage in two prisons in Guatemala City.
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gangs in Guatemala stage prison riots to demand the return of 10 leaders moved to other prisons
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Members of Guatemala' s two largest gangs — Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha — staged riots in two Guatemalan prisons on Tuesday, demanding the return of 10 leaders who were sent to other prisons and placed in solitary confinement. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told The Associated Press that the gang members are holding at least six guards — one of whom was shot — hostage in two prisons in Guatemala City. According to Jiménez, the rioters were demanding Guatemalan authorities return their leaders from the prison where they were transferred, Renovación I, to the prisons where they were able to lead the gangs and 'exercised criminal power.' 'The Guatemalan state will not bow down to you,' Jiménez posted on his official social media account. The transfer of the gang leaders took place just over a month after the massacre of seven people at a funeral home while they were mourning another alleged gang member. Authorities have blamed the gangs for recent violence in the country, which Jiménez said was fueled by ongoing conflict between the rival groups. Jiménez assured that the government will not give in to the gang members' threats and that they will continue to have 'no privileges, no concessions. … The security and peace of Guatemalans is far above any threat from these criminals,' he said.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Gangs in Guatemala stage prison riots to demand the return of 10 leaders moved to other prisons
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Members of Guatemala' s two largest gangs — Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha — staged riots in two Guatemalan prisons on Tuesday, demanding the return of 10 leaders who were sent to other prisons and placed in solitary confinement. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez told The Associated Press that the gang members are holding at least six guards — one of whom was shot — hostage in two prisons in Guatemala City. According to Jiménez, the rioters were demanding Guatemalan authorities return their leaders from the prison where they were transferred, Renovación I, to the prisons where they were able to lead the gangs and 'exercised criminal power.' 'The Guatemalan state will not bow down to you,' Jiménez posted on his official social media account. The transfer of the gang leaders took place just over a month after the massacre of seven people at a funeral home while they were mourning another alleged gang member. Authorities have blamed the gangs for recent violence in the country, which Jiménez said was fueled by ongoing conflict between the rival groups. Jiménez assured that the government will not give in to the gang members' threats and that they will continue to have 'no privileges, no concessions. ... The security and peace of Guatemalans is far above any threat from these criminals,' he said.
CBS News
12-03-2025
- CBS News
Top drug trafficker wanted in U.S. is captured in Mexico, Guatemala officials say
One of Guatemala's most wanted drug traffickers has been captured in Mexico and returned to Guatemala to await extradition to the United States, Guatemalan officials said. Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said the capture of Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos on Tuesday was carried out in cooperation with Mexico and the United States. He said Samayoa Recinos negotiated drug shipments through Guatemala with Mexican cartels. Jiménez posted images and video of the arrest on social media, showing officers escorting a handcuffed Samayoa Recinos. Guatemala also has a case against Samayoa Recinos, so it wasn't immediately clear if that case would have to proceed before his extradition would be considered. He was expected to appear in court in Guatemala on Wednesday. A U.S. federal indictment against Samayoa Recinos was unsealed in Washington in 2022 for alleged cocaine trafficking. According to the U.S. Justice Department, Samayoa Recinos, who is also known as "Chicharra," and his son-in-law were charged with conspiracy to distribute cocaine for importation to the United States. According to court documents, Samayoa Recinos allegedly conspired with others to import cocaine into the United States from Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, the Justice Department said. Guatemalan authorities say Samayoa Recinos leads an organized crime group called "Los Huistas." In March 2022, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Los Huistas, calling it "the dominant criminal structure in the Guatemalan department of Huehuetenango (along the border of Guatemala and Mexico)." According to the U.S. Treasury, Los Huistas smuggles cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin from its base in northern Guatemala to the U.S. using Mexican cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The U.S. accused Samayoa Recinos of overseeing the group's drug trafficking operation as well as engaging in money laundering activities.
Washington Post
12-03-2025
- Washington Post
Accused Guatemalan drug trafficker wanted in US is captured in Mexico
GUATEMALA CITY — One of Guatemala's most wanted drug traffickers has been captured in Mexico and returned to Guatemala to await extradition to the United States, Guatemalan officials said. Guatemala Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez said the capture of Aler Baldomero Samayoa Recinos on Tuesday was carried out in cooperation with Mexico and the United States. He said Samayoa Recinos negotiated drug shipments through Guatemala with Mexican cartels.
