Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, a sociologist and co-founder of Semilla, is in the news for his crackdown on gangs and recent political moves.
Guatemala has passed new legislation designating gangs Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha as terrorist groups. The law increases prison sentences, orders a new maximum-security prison, and follows a recent prison escape involving 20 gang members. The move aims to strengthen security amid regional gang violence concerns.