Tens of members of the Barrio 18 gang, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the Trump administration, have escaped prison in Guatemala, according to a new report.
CBS News detailed that 20 members of the gang "evaded security controls" at the Fraijanes II prison, according to an account by facility director Ludin Godinez. He added that authorities are investigating potential acts of corruption in the escape.
The U.S. embassy in the country said the development is "utterly unacceptable." "The United States designated members of this heinous group as the terrorists they are and will hold accountable anyone who has provided, provides, or decides to provide material support to these fugitives or other gang members," it said in a social media post.
La fuga de terroristas del Barrio 18 de prisión es totalmente inaceptable.
— US Embassy Guatemala (@usembassyguate) October 13, 2025
El 23 de septiembre, EE. UU. designó a los miembros de este grupo atroz como los terroristas que son y hará rendir cuentas a cualquiera que haya brindado, brinde o decida brindar apoyo material a estos…
The embassy went on to call the Guatemalan government to "act immediately and vigorously to recapture these terrorists."
The development comes less than a month after the Trump administration designated Barrio 18 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The U.S. Embassy in El Salvador described the group as "one of the largest gangs in our hemisphere and has conducted attacks against security personnel, public officials, and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras."
"The United States will continue to protect our nation by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding the violent and criminal activity of vicious gangs and drug cartels. Today's action taken by the State Department further demonstrates the Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and gangs and ensuring the safety of the American people," the statement added.
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