Guatemala Says Two Barrio 18 Fugitives Arrested in Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Two members of the Barrio 18 gang who escaped from the Fraijanes 2 prison in Guatemala have been located and arrested in Quintana Roo, Guatemala’s Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda said.

The detainees were identified as Stuardo Herrera Ardiano, known as “Little Spider,” and Rudy Augusto Ortiz Morales, nicknamed “Smoky.” Both were among a group of 20 inmates who broke out of the prison nearly a year ago.

In a video posted to social media, Villeda credited Mexican authorities with helping track down the two men as part of efforts to recapture those responsible for the escape.

Nine escapees still at large

Villeda said that of the 20 Barrio 18 members who fled Fraijanes 2, ten have been recaptured, one was found dead and nine remain fugitives.

The minister said the search would continue until every escaped inmate is found, even if they try to hide outside Guatemala.

He said international cooperation has been strengthened to widen the investigations beyond Guatemala’s borders, since fugitives can move to other countries to avoid justice.

Guatemala moves to prevent new escapes

Alongside the manhunt, Guatemala’s Interior Ministry is working to strengthen the prison system and prevent a repeat of the Fraijanes 2 breakout.

According to Villeda, the measures include upgrades to prison facilities, control mechanisms, intelligence work and the state’s operational capacity to enforce the law.

The minister stressed that arrest warrants remain in force and that neither time nor the crossing of borders exempts fugitives from facing justice.

With the two Barrio 18 members located in Quintana Roo, Guatemalan authorities said their goal remains recapturing the nine escapees still unaccounted for.