Zone 6 of the capital, in recent days, has been the scene of acts of violence that have left people dead and injured. One of these events occurred on April 20, when six people died and two were injured in an attack at a cevicheria.
According to one of the lines of investigation, the attack was directed against a woman with a criminal record, but more people died in the event.
This Friday, April 24, the National Civil Police (PNC) confirmed the existence of a document that warns of possible acts of violence in that area.
In the alert sent to the Deputy Head of Departments and Special Investigation Delegations of the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division, there is a warning about consistent information that members of the Mara Salvatrucha criminal organization intend to carry out armed attacks against people who are found or circulating in different sectors of that area.
According to the PNC alert, gang members intend attacks against pilots and passengers of motorcycle taxis, marked and pirated taxis, as well as against motorcycle taxis.
Parks, fields, soccer fields, cebicherias, diners and sales of spare parts, as well as street vendors, are also mentioned, according to the PNC alert.
The threat also extends to markets, stores selling daily consumer products and sales of alcoholic beverages, as well as to points where a rival gang operates.
“This is in retaliation for the armed attacks that have occurred against this criminal organization Mara Salvatrucha,” stated the PNC.
In the alert, the PNC identifies the San Antonio neighborhood and the Cipresales, La Reynita, 30 de Junio neighborhoods and the projects from 4-1 to 4-10 as risk areas.
Also La Cuchilla, the San Martín Market, the Martinico neighborhood, the El Quintanal neighborhood, La Parroquia, the San Juan de Dios neighborhood and surrounding sectors, as well as areas of Chinautla.
Actions against threats
Given the threat, the PNC will implement fixed posts in places where motorcycle taxis and taxis park, charge or circulate, as well as at bus stops.
It will also carry out mobile operations, among other actions, in order to prevent criminal acts, as well as identification operations of two- and four-wheeled vehicles and people.
The Ministry of the Interior recognizes that spikes in homicidal violence have been reported in recent days in the department of Guatemala, attributed to drug dealing.
The Deputy Minister of Security, Roberto Solórzano, explained that they are working with the Public Ministry (MP). In addition, instructions were issued to the PNC regarding possible attacks by the Mara Salvatrucha against the population and services such as transportation, restaurants, markets and stores.
The vice minister confirmed that security alerts have been issued and transferred to the PNC. He added that the instructions issued indicate a criminal incident in zone 6 and part of Chinautla, where the latest incidents have been recorded.
According to the official, work is being done from an investigative and operational point of view against possible attacks.
The vice minister reiterated that it is unpredictable to foresee more attacks in these sectors; However, the corresponding security alerts were turned on to be ready and react immediately.
Regarding the homicidal violence reported this week in the country, mainly in the department of Guatemala, Vice Minister Solórzano indicated that it is attributed to organized crime organizations, such as the Mara Salvatrucha and Barrio 18, which has caused victims, some unrelated to these events, which is being investigated.
According to the official, they work with the MP in cases of extortion and drug dealing, especially because there is a fight for territories and an internal recomposition of criminal structures that has generated spikes in violence.
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