Guatemala/El Salvador: Security forces seize contraband in border region

Event

A binational Guatemalan-Salvadoran security forces operation seized contraband goods in the border region between the two countries in recent days. The operation reportedly targeted several sites along the border suspected of housing goods illegally imported by merchants who had not paid requisite tariffs or possessed marketing and sanitation permits. Among the areas raided included warehouses near San Cristóbal, in Candelaria de la Frontera (Santa Ana department), and in Las Chinamas (Ahuachapán department).

Authorities did not report the value of the seized goods, and no one was arrested in connection to the raids. Additional raids by security forces on warehouses sheltering suspected contraband are possible in the Guatemalan-Salvadoran border area (including in the departments of Jutiapa [Guatemala], Ahuachapán [El Salvador], and Santa Ana [El Salvador]) in the coming weeks.

Context

The binational border raids are part of the broader Operation Binational San Cristóbal. The abovementioned raids were the second operation carried out by security forces in recent weeks; authorities arrested some 20 people in a related operation, termed Operation Without Borders, earlier in March.

Advice

Individuals present in Guatemala and El Salvador are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to heed all instructions issued by the local authorities.