Guatemala Suspends Classes and Declares 30-Day State of Siege Following the Killing of Eight Police Officers in Gang Attack
The government of Guatemala announced this Sunday the suspension of all classes in the country for the following Monday as a preventive measure in response to the rising wave of violence affecting the capital and other regions.
President Bernardo Arévalo de León stated in a national broadcast that a 30-day state of siege has been declared across the entire territory, aiming to restore order, protect the population, and strengthen legitimate authority against the criminal groups that have generated insecurity.
The decision came after the murder of eight National Civil Police officers, who were attacked simultaneously at different locations in the capital. Authorities believe it was a coordinated operation by gangs seeking to destabilize public security and challenge the country’s institutions.
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Al menos 8 agentes de la Policía Nacional Civil de Guatemala fallecieron este domingo, y 2 presos. Mientras que alrededor de 11 se encuentran heridos en medio de los disturbios que se originaron la jornada anterior en tres prisiones del país, organizados por la pandilla Barrio 18 pic.twitter.com/avzDOu08ok
— aapayés (@aapayes) January 18, 2026
According to official sources, the attacks caused alarm among citizens and forced the reinforcement of police and military presence in strategic areas. The state of siege will allow direct intervention against those responsible, impose restrictions on movement in critical zones, and carry out stricter controls over weapons and suspicious groups.
President Arévalo emphasized that violence directly threatens the education of children and young people by preventing schools from operating normally. “We cannot allow crime to decide when and how our children should study; the State has the duty to protect every citizen,” he stated.
Security experts point out that Guatemala faces a phenomenon of structured criminality, where organized gangs have gained territorial and financial control, putting legitimate authority and social order at risk.
The impact of this violence is especially severe for families, who have witnessed how direct threats to their children and homes create fear and disrupt daily life. The suspension of classes reflects the gravity of the situation and forces parents to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of their children.
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The state of siege includes the monitoring of communications and the possibility of intervening in groups suspected of collaborating with criminal activity. These measures aim to curb the spread of violence and restore public confidence in institutions.
The international community has been closely following the events, while human rights organizations call for any restrictions to be applied within the legal framework, protecting the fundamental rights of the population.
In this context, Arévalo’s declaration represents an effort to restore security and order, essential pillars for the protection of families, education, and citizens’ freedom. Excessive violence and gang activity demonstrate the consequences of leftist policies that, under the pretext of rights and social justice, end up weakening authority, leaving the population unprotected, and destabilizing coexistence.
Only a conservative approach, respecting law, order, and family, can guarantee a safe and stable environment for all.
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