Guatemala Recaptures 2 Barrio 18 Escapees in Mexico
Two Fraijanes escapees from the Barrio 18 gang, a US-designated terrorist group, were caught near Cancún on 5 October. Nine of 20 remain at large. The post Guatemala Recaptures 2 Barrio 18 Escapees in Mexico appeared first on The Rio Times .
On Monday, Guatemalan authorities recaptured two escapees from Barrio 18, a gang designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US in September 2025. The two men, Rudy O. alias "Smoking" and Esvin H. alias "Liro Spyder", were found near Cancún, Mexico. They escaped from Fraijanes II maximum-security prison along with 18 other gang members in October 2025.
Nine of the 20 escapees remain at large, according to Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda. The arrested men were found in the municipality of Benito Juárez, with an Interpol red notice issued for their apprehension. When detained, they had marijuana, firearms, and ammunition. The operation involved the Ministerio Público, the PNC's Transnational Anti-Gang Centre, and Mexican security forces.
Both men are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in court. Guatemala's Prison System confirmed the escape of 20 Barrio 18 members from Fraijanes II on 12 October 2025, with police chief David Custodio Boteo stating they led local gang cells. The escape was believed to have occurred over the previous two months with help from prison staff. Charges against the guards are under investigation.
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