The struggle between Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) for control of drug dealing and extortion keeps a series of armed attacks that occurred in the capital’s zone 6 during 2026 under investigation.
The General Subdirectorate of Criminal Investigation of the National Civil Police (PNC) reported on May 14 that the dispute between gangs had left 40 dead in zone 6 for the last two months; However, updated statistics shared by the Ministry of the Interior report 28 homicides between January and May of this year.
Deaths per month
- January: one
- February: six
- March: six
- April: 14
- May: one
The increase in violent events during April coincides with a series of armed attacks linked to territorial disputes between gangs and groups dedicated to drug dealing, according to PNC investigations.
One of the events occurred on April 20 inside the Viña del Mar cevicheria, in zone 6, where six people died and a five-year-old child was injured during an armed attack attributed to the Mara Salvatrucha.
According to the investigations, the target of the attack was Noemí Sinay Hernández and her companion, allegedly linked to Barrio 18; However, the attackers shot all of the business’ customers.
The investigations also establish that the Mara Salvatrucha intends to take control of retail drug sales and extortion in the Los Cipresales and Los Proyectos neighborhoods, in zone 6.
The National Division against the Criminal Development of Gangs of the PNC details that there are currently 43 Mara Salvatrucha cliques operating in Guatemala, structures linked to extortion, drug dealing, hitmen and territorial control.
Operations and raids
To contain this dispute, the National Civil Police and the Public Ministry carried out 115 search procedures on May 14 in different sectors linked to the investigations.
“Mainly, the objective of the raids is to search for evidence to strengthen the lines of investigation or generate new lines of investigation. We have 17 cases that are strengthened through these proceedings,” indicated the General Subdirectorate of Criminal Investigation.
The authorities indicated that the operations seek to impact the Bichos Locos, Parking Locos and Carmen Locos cliques, linked to the Mara Salvatrucha and which maintain a presence in different sectors of zone 6.
In addition to the raids, the Police reported that they removed video surveillance cameras illegally installed by members of the Mara Salvatrucha.
“These cameras are installed by people who control police activity and also the sector, and they do not have authorization from the municipality,” indicated the PNC.
According to the authorities, these devices were used to monitor the entry of police patrols, identify movements of rival groups and maintain territorial control at different points in zone 6.