There is a rebound of homicides and violent events, and the president, Bernardo Arévalo, recognized it yesterday, at the same time that he explained some changes in the security strategy to try to stop that trend, among these, the suspense of breaks and vacations of the uniformed, to reinforce patrolling.
According to the official figures, analyzed by the National Economic Research Center (one hundred), from January to April 2025, 215 homicides were recorded rather than in the same period of the previous year, which represents an increase of 26% of this type of violence.
“We are not ignoring them; we recognize it with absolute seriousness and responsibility,” said President Arévalo, regarding an alleged rebound of violent events.
The President of the Republic presented, during a press conference, that beyond identifying this rise and its factors that cause criminality, they understand that their responsibility as a government is to “provide peace and security”, as well as reverse the increase in violent events.
Arévalo said they have made changes in the Ministry of the Interior to counteract those flagella.
“Security is a national priority of Guatemalan society; it is not only a government priority. That is why we are taking concrete steps, covered by a strategic vision, with the aim of being sustainable to counteract this scourge,” he said.
In addition, Arévalo explained that changes in the Ministry of the Interior seek to build and implement a new strategy to combat crime, with concrete results that provide greater security to the people of Guatemala, because “without security the well -being of people erodes and weakens democracy.”
The Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, commented that they are working to combat criminality in the country.
Extortion
In April, 2,000 complaints were reported for extortion, or what is the same, 69 daily complaints, according to the last official publication. In the same period last year there were 70 complaints per day for extortion; A slight descent.
However, the Minister of the Interior explained that the new director of the prison system is worked, because there is a key point for the fight against crime, because from prisons attacks against the population and extortion calls are orchestrated.
The Public Ministry (MP) indicated that gangs have a hierarchical structure and that their members obey their leaders.
He added that in 2024 approximately 64 thousand 717 calls left prison centers. MP statistics show that the largest amount of extortion calls were made from the penalties of Pavón, Pavoncito, Fraijanes, Cantel and the Canada farm.
In these centers the ringleaders of the gangs and their operators are held, according to the investigations.
The plan
Helver Beltetón, deputy general director of the PNC, confirmed what President Arévalo said: as of June 2, police officers will not enjoy breaks, due to the increase in criminal incidence.
The attached director added that this measure seeks to increase patrols and operations nationwide and when suspending breaks and vacations there are more than 35 thousand uniformed.
BelTeton explained that they have developed a strategy to focus and increase the police presence in the areas with the highest criminal incidence.
Meanwhile, the hundred detailed in his latest report that the departments with more homicides are Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, Escuintla, Petén, Chiquimula, Izabal and Jalapa.
He argued that the municipalities of Villa Nueva, Chinautla, Mixco and San Miguel Petapa are the ones that report the most homicides.
Menchú did consider that criminal acts and murders could decrease with focused patrols. He added that the authorities must also carry out investigations to dismantle criminal structures.
“While in Guatemala there is no effective sentence against people who commit these illicit facts, they will be free to commit them,” said Menchú.
The deputy director of the PNC said that there are focused areas where they consider that violent deaths have increased due to territory and rivalry between gangs.
Street control
He added that the PNC Transit Department will collaborate in the operations against clandestine races.
“This strategy also contemplates directing traffic operations to avoid clandestine careers and excess speed, in order to return tranquility and security to citizens,” he said.