WORLD BRIEFING / GUATEMALA
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Times Wire Reports
Guatemalan police have arrested a street gang leader on suspicion of organizing the killings of dozens of bus drivers, part of a wave of attacks on the capital’s public transportation system.
Police say 21-year-old Axel Ramirez, alias El Smaily (Smiley), is a member of the Mara 18 gang who ordered more than 20 shootings of bus drivers and fare collectors for not paying extortionists.
Ramirez, arrested Thursday after a shootout, had been released from prison in December after serving about four years for killing a rival gang member.
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