Guatemalan Authorities Capture Partner of Top Barrio 18 Gang Leader with ties to Belize

On Wednesday night, August 27, the Court of First Instance at Torre de Tribunales announced the grounds for the arrest of María Marta Castañeda Torres, the partner of Aldo Dupie Ocho Mejía, better known as “El Lobo,” one of Barrio 18’s top leaders.

Castañeda Torres was captured in a section of Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, and transported to the Court Tower to face legal proceedings. At her initial hearing, she was informed only of the charges related to the oldest arrest warrant against her, which originated from the Jutiapa court.

The presiding judge announced that she will be notified in a separate hearing of the charges linking her to the second armed attack against prosecutor Miriam Reguero. At the request of her defense, she will be transferred to the Mariscal Zavala military prison, where she will remain until further hearings are scheduled.

The Ministry of the Interior hailed her capture as one of the most significant achievements of the current administration, describing it as a “very important blow” to the gang structures. Minister Francisco Jiménez confirmed through official channels that Castañeda Torres is the partner of “El Lobo,” who is serving more than 80 years in prison for multiple crimes, including homicide.

Barrio 18 and its rival, the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), remain in an ongoing power struggle with Guatemalan authorities for control of the country’s prison system. Their leaders, including Ocho Mejía, were transferred to the Renovación I maximum-security facility on July 31 for strict isolation, sparking repeated prison riots.

Castañeda Torres has also been identified as the niece of Sandra Torees, the former first lady of Guatemala from 2008 to 2011, and Narda García, the CEO in Belize’s Office of the Prime Minister.