Guatemala: Martial law declared in Ixchiguán and Tajumulco on May 11

Event

The Guatemalan government declared martial law in the municipalities of Ixchiguán and Tajumulco (San Marcos department) on Thursday, May 11, to fight drug trafficking and drug-related violence. According to government officials, martial law will be in place for one month. Additional soldiers will be deployed to the region to break drug trafficking networks and decrease the inter-gang violence for territorial control in the area. Before the measure is put into effect, it will first have to be approved by the Guatemalan Congress at a yet unconfirmed date. If the measure is passed, expect increased security measures in the abovementioned areas.

Context

El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras make up the "Northern Triangle" in Central America. According to the United Nations, this region is among the most dangerous in the world, due in large part to the presence of criminal organizations and drug cartels that are responsible for high homicide rates.

Advice

Individuals are advised to adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and to be prepared for possible delays at land border crossings. Due to high crime rates, some Western governments advise against nonessential travel to much of Honduras, including parts of the border region.