The Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, at a press conference this Monday, May 5 at the National Palace, confirmed that there is an increase in homicides.
According to Jiménez, it is a conflict between gangs that are disputed territory.
The official also said that The specific cause of armed facts cannot be determined until the investigation of each case concludes.
He said that homicide statistics are the greatest expression of insecurity or violence that a country can have.
He explained that the interannual rate allows registration to be carried out and, in addition, evaluate how the State responds to this crime situation.
Jiménez said that during the first four months of 2025 there has been an increase in homicides compared to the same months of 2024, although, according to him, a decrease in other crimes is reported or the trend is maintained.
He said they do not have the exact science that “allows them to establish causalities”, but an important fact is that 60% of homicides are linked to maras or gangs.
“Unfortunately, what is being shown is that the increase in homicides has to do, to a large extent, with conflicts between maras and gangs. This is due to a readjustment that are precisely looking for in the occupation of the territory, particularly in Guatemala City, where there is a particular interest in taking control of the drug retail office, especially in areas such as zone 1 and other areas of important agglomeration of people, ”he said.
Jiménez added that there has been an increase in homicides against women: “This due to a situation would also say natural for the number of people, which in the population of Guatemala we have almost 60% of women, which makes it inevitable that, If homicide increases in general, increase the death of women. ”
He added that women are highly vulnerable to violence, particularly murderer. He added that housewives not only fulfill that function, but are also workers, and their mobility is vulnerable in certain areas.
He mentioned the confrontation between police and criminals in Bárcenas, Villa Nueva, who concluded with a capture, so there has been a rapid reaction.
Jiménez warned that 82% and 90% of homicides are executed with a firearm.