Guatemala’s State of Emergency Will Test Its Democracy
President Arévalo is not channeling Bukele, but a compromised justice system makes this a dangerous moment that threatens lasting consequences.
Guatemala’s state of emergency isn’t “Bukele-lite,” but it does warn of something else. The immediate trigger was blunt: Barrio 18 inmates seized control of multiple prisons and took dozens of guards and staff hostage, demanding privileges. Authorities retook the facilities and freed the hostages without casualties, but then the gang orchestrated retaliatory attacks on the streets that killed ten police officers. President Bernardo Arévalo responded by declaring a 30-day state of emergency, expanding police and army powers, and allowing temporary restrictions on civil liberties....
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