Guatemalan lawmaker and three police officers killed in armed attack

What the report says

A Guatemalan lawmaker and three police officers were killed in an armed attack on Friday in Rio Hondo, in the eastern department of Zacapa, a region long associated with drug trafficking activity, according to authorities cited by Al Jazeera. The lawmaker, Julio Portillo, was initially taken to hospital with serious injuries before his death was confirmed by his party, the National Unity of Hope (UNE). Guatemala’s Congress also expressed condolences, identifying him as the representative for Zacapa.

President Bernardo Arevalo said the three National Civil Police officers died while performing their duties and ordered security forces to work with prosecutors investigating the case. Authorities have not said who carried out the attack or announced a motive.

The report notes that the Lorenzana family cartel, which has links to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, is believed to control drug trafficking in Zacapa. Portillo was elected in 2023 for the Cabal party before later joining UNE, led by former First Lady Sandra Torres, who is expected to seek the presidency in next year’s election.

The killings follow the fatal shooting of former anticorruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa in Guatemala City about three weeks earlier, an episode that raised concerns about organized crime and possible politically motivated violence. Authorities have not linked the two attacks.