Guatemala is under siege

On Sunday, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo declared a state of siege because of gang-related violence. On Saturday, inmates held 46 prison guards hostage, likely to secure better accommodations for the imprisoned leaders of the Barrio 18 gang. The guards were freed using force, but then seven police officers were murdered throughout the nation’s capital. The state of siege, similar to martial law, gives the government increased powers to abridge certain rights temporarily. Guatemala is the latest South American country to crack down on gangs. Last week, Costa Rica built a new prison for gang members, and the government of El Salvador has taken drastic actions to try to combat the power of the gangs and cartels. But the only solution to out-of-control violent crime is to address the root causes.