Over the weekend, Belize police received an alert that 20 Guatemalan prisoners had escaped Fraijanes II Maximum Security Prison, a maximum-security facility outside Guatemala City meant for gang members. These prisoners are all gang leaders of the dangerous Barrio 18 gang. One of the prisoners has been recaptured so far, but Belize's police department is on the lookout in case the rest decide to skip across the border. ASP Stacy Smith advised residents living near the border to be on alert.
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"On October 11, 2025, the Belize Police Department was alerted of the escape of 20 high-profile gang members from a maximum security prison in Guatemala. These gang members are known to be a part of the 18th Street gang, and due to Belize's proximity to that location, it is feared that those persons may make their way into this jurisdiction."
"Consequently, police officers and the police department have put into place strategic operational efforts to thwart such an eventuality, and the police department urges the members of the general public in those areas that are nearest to the borders to be on alert for these individuals and to report any suspicious movements as soon as possible."
"These persons are dangerous and are to be considered as such, and consequently we rely on the members of the general public to assist us with information if ever they may come across these individuals."
Reporter
"Is it confirmed when these individuals broke out of the prison? I understand it wasn't recent, it was more July-August."
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I cannot confirm the exact date, I can only share when we were notified of that information."
We should note that the prisoners esc aped between July and August of this year, slipping out of prison without authorities even knowing. As we understand it, those gangs do not allow the prison authorities to perform head counts on their members int he sections of the prison they control.
