Inmates are said to be armed with AK-47s.
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At least 17 inmates have died after a riot allegedly broke out between rival incarcerated gangs in a prison in Guatemala’s southern department of Escuintla, announced the Central American country’s Public Prosecutor’s Office on Monday.
More than 3,000 prisoners are held at the jail, which was built to house just 600. The military had to be deployed at the site, with as many as 2,300 prisoners fighting against the security forces.
Mr Sosa said that there were conflicting theories as to what had triggered the violence.
The perimeter of the Granja Penal Canada facility has been surrounded by army and police officers, Sosa said, adding that authorities had avoided entering the prison on Sunday when the fight broke out amid reports that several inmates were carrying firearms. Earlier this year it was reported that officials had prevented a mass escape after discovering tunnels beneath the prison.
Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras are plagued by turf battles between violent street gangs fighting to control impoverished communities.
He said there were reports that convicted gang members had clashed with inmates without any gang affiliation after visiting hours on Sunday.
The number of homicides in Guatemala has soared this year, with the annual toll on track to be at least 6,000.
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More than 50 per cent of the victims across the three countries were younger than 25.
