Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo on Sunday said he had declared a state of emergency in two municipalities in western Guatemala a day after armed men attacked a military post and a police station, cut off roads, and hijacked buses, killing at least five people.
Criminal gangs are attempting to force security forces to withdraw in order to take control of the region, Arévalo said. He said his government would reinforce security.
This state of emergency, the first declared by his government, will last for 15 days in the municipalities of Nahuala and Santa Catarina Ixtahuacan in the department of Solola.
The criminal groups are linked to extortion and drug trafficking and pose a threat to the local communities, Arévalo said.
The two municipalities have had disputes for several decades over water sources and local roads they both claim as their own. These disputes have led to dozens of deaths.
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Guatemala Declares State of Emergency After Armed Attacks Kill at Least 5
14/12/2025
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Nous travaillons côte à côte avec les victimes pour obtenir la reconnaissance et la réparation des violations massives des droits humains, demander des comptes aux responsables, réformer et construire des institutions démocratiques et prévenir la répétition de la violence ou de la répression.