Guatemala City (AFP) – An opposition deputy died on Friday after an armed attack that also left three police officers dead in a region of eastern Guatemala with a strong presence of drug trafficking, medical sources and Congress reported.

First modification: 11/09/2026 - 13:18

The attack against legislator Julio Portillo was recorded in Zacapa, a territory controlled by the Lorenzana family cartel, linked to the Mexican Sinaloa cartel.

More than a month ago, clashes between drug traffickers in that same region of the Central American country left eight dead, according to authorities.

The congressman died in a state hospital from "gunshot wounds," the director of the Zacapa medical center, Luis Nájera, told reporters.

The Ministry of the Interior confirmed that the other three victims were agents of the National Civil Police, who repelled the "direct attack against the deputy" committed by unknown individuals.

This Saturday, the country's president Bernardo Arévalo repudiated the attack and instructed the security forces to collaborate with the Public Ministry to "clarify these events and identify those responsible."

"We will not allow criminal violence to prevail over the lives and security of Guatemalans," he stated.

For its part, Congress mourned the death in a message on its X account.

The congressman won the seat in 2023 for the opposition Cabal party, but was currently a member of the National Unity of Hope of former first lady Sandra Torres, who will seek the presidency for the fourth time.

Guatemala will have elections next year to elect president, mayors and deputies.

Due to the massacre of the eight people more than a month ago in Zacapa, Arévalo relieved two senior military commanders.

In addition, he placed a hundred soldiers at the disposal of the Prosecutor's Office to facilitate the investigation of the clashes.

At the end of October, a luxurious party was held to celebrate the 15th birthday of the daughter of the mayor of Zacapa, Xiomara Ovalle, a relative of the head of a powerful cartel in the country and wife of a confessed drug trafficker.

The United States described the celebration as "narcoquinceañera" since the amount spent for the social event exceeded 2.5 million dollars, according to local media.

© 2026 AFP

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