Guatemala's Ministry of Education (Mineduc) announced that it will provide psychological assistance to students, teachers, and parents of the Huité Official Urban Mixed School in Zacapa, following Sunday's armed attack that left eight people dead in the municipality.
Classes have remained suspended since Tuesday, September 29, as a protective measure for the educational community. The decision extends to the school located near the soccer field where part of the shooting took place during a sporting event.
The Mineduc reported that some students witnessed the events, although they were not participating in a school day at the time of the incursion. The ministry plans to support them through programs aimed at violence prevention and assisting people affected by this type of situation.
The Zacapa Departmental Education Directorate and the sector's supervision office are providing support to the school while authorities evaluate the conditions for a possible gradual resumption of in-person activities.
The Huité school shows bullet holes and damage at the entrance
A commission from the Ministry of Education is inspecting the damage at the Huité Official Urban Mixed School, which was struck by bullets during the violent events.
Authorities documented damage to the main entrance of the educational facility. They also found bullet holes in the doors and walls of the girls' bathroom.
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Guatemala's Ministry of Education will provide psychological assistance to the educational community of Huité following the armed attack recorded in the municipality. (Municipality of Huité)
Guatemala's Ministry of Education (Mineduc) announced that it will provide psychological assistance to students, teachers, and parents of the Official Urban Mixed School of Huité, Zacapa, after Sunday's armed attack that left eight people dead in the municipality. Classes have remained suspended since Tuesday, September 29, as a protective measure for the educational community. The decision also covers the school located near the soccer field where part of the shooting took place during a sporting event.
Mineduc reported that some students witnessed the events, although they were not participating in a school day at the time of the incursion. The ministry plans to attend to them through programs aimed at violence prevention and support for people affected by this type of situation.
The Zacapa Departmental Directorate of Education and the sector's supervision office are providing support to the school while authorities evaluate the conditions for a possible gradual resumption of in-person activities.
A commission from the Ministry of Education is inspecting the damage at the Official Urban Mixed School of Huité, which was struck by bullets during the violent events. Authorities documented damage to the main entrance of the educational facility. They also found projectile holes in doors and walls of the girls' bathroom. The ministry indicated that it will determine the necessary repairs after completing the technical verification.
The girls' bathrooms at the school received several bullet impacts. (Public Prosecutor's Office of Guatemala)
The work would be financed through the school renovation program, a mechanism that, according to Mineduc, would allow the damage to be addressed quickly. The institution noted that the Cuida and Proesvi programs will intervene in the educational community. The plan includes support for students, teaching staff, and families, with the goal of creating conditions for a gradual return to the classroom.
The mayor of Huité, Leonel Humberto Paz, accompanied by the Municipal Council, expressed his condolences to the affected families and demanded a "rigorous, transparent, and impartial" investigation into the violence that occurred in the municipality. Paz maintained that the incident "was not a confrontation," but rather the incursion of "a commando" that entered with firearms and used a force he described as excessive. The mayor stated that the episode attacked the life and integrity of the residents.
"Your pain is the pain of our entire municipality," the mayor said as he addressed the families of the victims. He also asked residents to remain united in demanding justice, with serenity and firmness.
Members of the Municipal Council of Huité, Guatemala, issue an official joint statement following the armed confrontations that left several people dead in the municipality.
In his message, the mayor mentioned the death of seven residents. Authorities had previously reported that the attack left eight people dead, so there is a discrepancy between the two figures.
The Municipality of Huité also released a statement of mourning in which it expressed its condolences and noted that it will accompany the families who lost their loved ones.
On Sunday, armed men entered Huité, Zacapa, and opened fire at the soccer field where a match was being played. Educational institutions of various levels are located around the venue.
A group of people dressed as military personnel burst into a sporting event in Zacapa, triggering an armed confrontation. (Facebook)
The attacks also extended to the village of La Oscurana and the entrance to the municipality. The Public Prosecutor's Office processed the three scenes and collected more than 70 ballistic pieces of evidence, which will be analyzed as part of the investigation to identify those responsible.