The Wednesday concentrated 25.7% of the homicides recorded in Guatemala during July 2026according to data from the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division (DEIC). The report counts 140 violent deaths in the country until July 28, 55 of them in the department of Guatemala.
Police data show that homicidal violence mainly concentrated Wednesday, Saturday and Fridayand that the greatest number of events occurred between 12 and 4 p.m.when a large part of the population carries out work, commercial or family activities.
During the program Direct Impactfrom Guatevisiónanalysts examined the statistics of the National Civil Police (PNC) andraised the need to reorganize patrolling according to the days, times and places with the highest incidence. They also pointed out that the victims between 26 and 35 years They represent a loss of productive-age population and that the institutional response requires coordination between security authorities and municipalities.
Wednesdays have the highest number of homicides
The DEIC reported that the Wednesday they accumulated 25.7% of the homicides registered during July. Then Saturdays appear, with the 20%and on Fridays, with the 15%.
One of the analysts highlighted the weekly distribution of cases: “Of the seven days of the week, we already saw that Wednesday is the one with the highest homicide rate in Guatemala.”
The statistics also identified a concentration of facts between 12 and 4 p.m.. This fact caught the attention of the program participants, because the homicides did not occur primarily at night.
“It’s not even a night time, but a time where everyone is in full activity; it’s noon, we could be going to buy lunch or doing some type of shopping,” said one of the analysts.
From these records, the participants considered that the information could be used to distribute police resources at moments of greatest risk.
“Having these statistics is quite functional to reorder patrolling and many of the tactics that can be used to cover more these days and these times,” said a program analyst.
Guatemala, Villa Nueva and Villa Canales lead the incidence
The report counts 140 homicides throughout the country until July 28, 2026. Of these, 55 occurred in the department of Guatemalaequivalent to approximately 39.3% of the national total.
The capital registered the 14% of the country’s homicideswhich is why it appears as the municipality with the highest incidence. They follow:
- New Villa: 10.3%
- Villa Canales: 8.4%
In the capital, the zone 18 reported the largest number of events, with five homicides. The areas 5, 7 and 12 registered two cases each.
The territorial distribution also shows that homicides occurred more frequently in rural areas. According to the PNC, the following were recorded:
- 78 homicides in rural areas
- 62 homicides in urban areas
The 78 rural cases represent approximately 55.7% of the total, while the 62 urban events are equivalent to 44.3%.
The participants of Direct Impact They pointed out that this distribution requires coordination between security institutions and local authorities.
“There also has to be a relationship and communication with the mayors, because in the municipalities it is easier to identify who moves to a certain sector,” said one of the analysts.
The panel maintained that the displacement of criminal groups to other municipalities must be considered in security plans, although the report presented does not identify the causes of each homicide or determine how many are related to gangs or organized crime.
Victims aged 26 to 35 and comparison with July 2025
The DEIC identified the people from among 26 and 35 years as the main victims of homicidal violence during July.
One of the analysts warned about the social and economic consequences of the victims belonging to that age group.
The analyst added that deaths can leave homes without one of their members, minors in vulnerable conditions and families with less income.
Although the report indicates an increase in homicidal violence during recent weeks, does not include a figure that allows establishing the exact percentage of that increase. In the year-on-year comparison, the DEIC reports a reduction.
During July of 2025 they registered 272 homicideswhile until July 28, 2026 were counted 140 cases. The difference is 132 fewer homicidesequivalent to an approximate reduction of 48.5%.
One of the analysts asked for caution when interpreting this comparison: “Just because there are fewer homicides does not mean that we are on the right track.”
He also stated that the statistical reduction must be analyzed together with the operational capacity of the security forces. security and police presence in urban and rural areas.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity of police elements on the streets compared to the number of people who move every day in the country,” he said.
Analysts agreed that the response should not be limited to captures or increased patrolling, but would have to include a coordinated strategy, focused on the days, times, municipalities and areas with the highest incidence.
*Stay up to date with the Now newsletter. Key information at the moment it happens. Subscribe here.