Stories from Guatemala

Jordan K. Andrews has been appointed as the business manager for the United States embassy in Guatemala. The diplomat was appointed by the Donald Trump administration. Andrews has extensive experience in national security and anti-narcotics affairs. His background includes oversight of justice and security programs in Europe and Asia.

Urban forest coverage has decreased in several Guatemalan municipalities over a five-year period. In Antigua Guatemala, coverage fell from 40% to 31%. Misco saw a reduction from 49% to 45%, while Santa Catarina Pinula dropped from 61% to 54%. San Miguel Petapa experienced a decline from 21% to 17%.

The Assembly of Social Organizations published an open letter to President Bernardo Arévalo regarding the administrative, financial, and human resource status of the Public Ministry. They also cited structural impunity and opacity in the ministry's functioning as key issues. The organizations noted that mechanisms previously proposed by Jimmy Morales and Alejandro Yamatei have not addressed these concerns. Deputies from the Semilla party filed a preventive amparo in the Constitutional Court and requested an audit from the Comptroller General's Office. The actions aim to strengthen transparency and institutional safeguards for the Public Ministry during the Attorney General election process. President Bernardo Arevalo continues interviews with candidates as part of the ongoing process. A judge also suspended an intermediate stage hearing for phase 3 of a 2017 tragedy case.

Authorities in San Marcos detained a man named Otto Arriaga. He was found in possession of 150 bags of marijuana concealed within a backpack. Arriaga was subsequently transferred to the corresponding authorities. The drugs were reportedly hidden inside a backpack he was carrying. The individual was transferred to the corresponding authorities following the detention. The news was confirmed by Emisoras Unidas.

A trial setting hearing is scheduled for May 11 at 9:00 AM before a federal district judge. In March 2022, the U.S. The case involves investigations by the Department of Homeland Security and the San Diego federal prosecutor's office. This reward was offered under a narcotics reward program.

Authorities in Guatemala Department have identified organized crime groups, including Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, as being involved in violent acts. These incidents have resulted in casualties, some of which are reportedly unrelated to the criminal activities. The events are currently under investigation, according to local authorities. Departmental police stations in Guatemala have inspected 175 people, 125 motorcycles, and 35 vehicles. The inspections aim to prevent criminal acts in various zones, according to the report. No specific locations within the country were named beyond the general departmental oversight.

Guatemalan lawmakers are revisiting a legislative initiative aimed at regulating preventive detention to prevent abuses within the country. The proposal was originally worked on by a commission nearly three years ago. Legislators are currently resuming work to discuss a draft report to assist judges in resolving cases. The initiative seeks to establish better regulations regarding the use of pretrial detention. Lawmakers are working to finalize reports for both initiatives to move them to the Congressional Plenary. Additionally, deputies analyzed a modification to Article 259, which would prohibit transferring any accused person to a detention center without a prior appearance before a judicial authority. Deputies hope to sign both reports during the next Commission session to advance the process to the Congressional Plenary.

Engineer Marco Fuentes stated that an attack on Rafael Andivar University was determined but no information was stolen. Technology consultant Rodolfo Isepi stated that recent cyberattacks against the University of San Carlos and the Ministry of Labor were carried out by hacker groups or organized crime. Isepi described the incidents as attempts to target institutional management. The attacks follow a cybersecurity breach that was mitigated after a Sunday incident. Guatemala currently ranks 129th out of 145 countries globally in cybersecurity capacity, according to reports. The nation holds a score of only 19.17 out of 100, indicating a deficit in defensive capabilities against digital threats. Experts state the state's response capacity to cyberattacks is practically null.

The association of veterans and military members, including civil self-defense patrols and their widows, announced they will begin nationwide demonstrations starting at 6:00 AM today. The announcement was made by Emisoras Unidas in Guatemala City. The group intends to hold these protests across the country. Protesters in Guatemala announced measures that could affect at least 15 locations nationwide. The demonstrations aim to pressure Congress to approve initiative 6416. This initiative seeks to expand economic benefits for ex-military personnel and widows. Demonstrators advised the public to take alternate routes to avoid being stranded for several hours. Military veterans arrived at the Congress of the Republic in Guatemala City a few days ago. The group has threatened to initiate blockades if progress is not made on the second reading of a law to extend economic benefits.

An elderly woman was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross the Raúl Aguilar Batres highway with a cart. The accident occurred on the lanes heading from the south toward the capital city. The incident has caused traffic congestion across both lanes of the roadway. Police captured two women, aged 21 and 26, suspected of being pickpockets in Guatemala City. The suspects were apprehended on an extra-urban bus traveling toward Misco. The arrest occurred at the intersection of Novena Avenida and Calzada Roosevelt in Zone 7. A citizen provided the information that led to the detection of the women.