Gangs retaliated by killing police officers in the capital.
The operation took place early Sunday at the Renovación prison in Escuintla, eighty kilometers from the capital, Guatemala City. Hundreds of riot police officers in riot gear entered the prison where several drug cartel leaders are serving sentences.
Several prison guards were taken hostage when inmates took control of the prison.
After a brief operation, the hostages were taken to safety. Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda had previously confirmed that nine people had been taken hostage at the prison, and that additional hostages were being held at two other prisons.
The prison protests came after incarcerated gang leaders were stripped of certain privileges.
Unrest erupted in the capital with dozens of attacks on police, resulting in at least seven deaths.
