GUATEMALA CITY: Streets were half-empty Monday in the capital city of Guatemala, where outrage and fear lingered during the first day of the 30-day state of emergency decreed by the government in response to the murder of nine police officers and riots in several prisons.
On Sunday, suspected members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang carried out a wave of attacks on the police after security forces put down a prison mutiny.
Eight officers were killed on Sunday and a ninth died of his injuries on Monday.
President Bernardo Arevalo declared a 30-day emergency on Sunday over the violence, which caused deep shock among Guatemalans.
On Monday, he presided over a memorial ceremony for the slain police officers at the interior ministry.
