Guatemala Gang Retaliation Kills 8 Police; NFL Final Four Confirmed

[00:00] Evelyn Hartwell: From Neural Newscast, I'm Evelyn Hartwell. [00:03] Frederick Moore: And I'm Frederick Moore. [00:04] Evelyn Hartwell: Today in Guatemala City, a series of coordinated attacks has left eight police officers dead and ten others wounded. [00:12] Evelyn Hartwell: These killings are a direct retaliation by gangs following a government crackdown on prison leadership. [00:19] Evelyn Hartwell: The violence began on Sunday, after inmates affiliated with the Barrio 18 gang took 46 people hostage across three different prisons. [00:28] Frederick Moore: The situation escalated when the government refused to transfer gang leaders back to lower security facilities. [00:36] Frederick Moore: Interior Minister Marco Antonio Vieta described the killings as cowardly acts of terrorism. [00:43] Frederick Moore: President Bernardo Arevalo has since convened an emergency cabinet meeting to address the collapse of security in the capital and surrounding areas. [00:52] Evelyn Hartwell: Security forces did manage to regain control of the renovation one maximum security prison in Esquimla. [01:00] Evelyn Hartwell: Using armored vehicles and tear gas, police and army units freed nine hostages within 15 minutes. [01:07] Evelyn Hartwell: However, the crisis is far from over. [01:10] Evelyn Hartwell: Gang members are still holding 37 more hostages at the Frijanus II and Preventivo prisons. [01:17] Frederick Moore: This instability is part of a longer trend of prison uprisings that began in mid-2025. [01:24] Frederick Moore: Last October, 20 leaders of the Barrio 18 gang escaped custody, and only six have been recaptured. [01:31] Frederick Moore: The U.S. Embassy has issued a security alert for personnel to shelter in place, [01:36] Frederick Moore: while the Guatemalan government has suspended all school classes for the immediate future. [01:41] Evelyn Hartwell: While we're seeing this crisis in Central America, the domestic scene in the United States [01:47] Evelyn Hartwell: is focused on the high-stakes conclusion of the professional football season. [01:52] Frederick Moore: The NFL's final four is now set after a pair of dramatic divisional round victories on Sunday. [01:58] Frederick Moore: In Chicago, the Los Angeles Rams survived a snowy battle at Soldier Field, defeating the Bears 20 to 17 in overtime. [02:07] Frederick Moore: The hero of the night was kicker Harrison Mevis, who converted a 42-yard field goal to clinch the win. [02:13] Evelyn Hartwell: The game was defined by brutal weather conditions and defensive stops. [02:17] Evelyn Hartwell: Both teams combined for 11 punts as the temperature dropped throughout the evening. [02:22] Evelyn Hartwell: Chicago's Caleb Williams nearly pulled off another miracle with a late fourth-down heave to tie the game, [02:28] Evelyn Hartwell: but his third interception of the night in overtime ultimately gave the Rams the opening they needed. [02:34] Frederick Moore: Meanwhile, in the AFC, the New England Patriots utilized a dominant defensive performance to eliminate the Houston Texans. [02:41] Frederick Moore: They forced four interceptions from Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, including a crucial pick six by Marcus Jones. [02:47] Frederick Moore: Despite facing heavy rain and snow in Foxborough, the Patriots secured a 28-16 victory at home. [02:55] Evelyn Hartwell: Patriots quarterback Drake May showed significant poise under pressure. [02:58] Evelyn Hartwell: He was sacked five times, but still managed to throw three touchdown passes to keep the [03:03] Evelyn Hartwell: New England offense moving. [03:05] Evelyn Hartwell: The win sets up a major conference championship clash next Sunday between the Patriots and [03:09] Evelyn Hartwell: the Denver Broncos. [03:11] Frederick Moore: Kickoff for the AFC title game is set for 3 p.m. Eastern, followed by the NFC matchup at [03:16] Frederick Moore: 6.30. [03:17] Evelyn Hartwell: I'm Evelyn Hartwell. [03:19] Frederick Moore: And I'm Frederick Moore. [03:20] Evelyn Hartwell: Thank you for listening. [03:22] Evelyn Hartwell: Neural Newscast is AI-assisted, human-reviewed. [03:27] Evelyn Hartwell: View our AI Transparency Policy at neuralnewscast.com.