What Happened When Guatemala’s Interior Ministry Tried to Fire 102 Prison Guards It Accused of Corruption?

In June 2024, Guatemala’s Interior Ministry filed a legal complaint with the Attorney General’s Office against 102 prison guards it accused of corruption. The guards had been manning a notorious gang prison in the Escuintla department, known colloquially as “El Infiernito,” or “Little Hell.” There, days before the accusations surfaced, authorities discovered all manner of contraband – including weapons, alcohol, live animals (among them crocodiles, raccoons, and an eagle), air conditioning units, slot machines, and over $23,000 in cash. The eclectic haul came during a raid aimed at restoring control of what is ostensibly a maximum security prison.

Arévalo, One Year On: Is Guatemala’s President Losing the Fight Against Corruption? | Written and narrated by Alex Papadovassilakis.

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