The law means that the authorities will get more resources to combat criminal gangs – two of which are now classified as terrorist organizations in the country. Prison sentences will become longer for gang members and a new prison will be built.
Barrio 18 and MS-13 also have a foothold in American Los Angeles. Barrio 18 was classified as a terrorist organization by the USA as recently as the end of September. MS-13 was classified as a terrorist organization in February.
Guatemala's decision comes after 20 members of Barrio 18 escaped from a prison earlier this month. Four of them have been arrested since the escape.
In the neighboring country El Salvador, the government has managed to get a grip on much of the gang-related crime. However, this has been possible by declaring a state of emergency lasting over three years, where certain rights have been restricted.
80,000 people have been imprisoned during the state of emergency.
