The Government of Guatemala will analyze whether to decree a state of exception in Zacapa following a series of high-impact armed attacks in recent weeks that left at least 12 dead, including congressman Julio César Portillo Paz, three agents of the National Civil Police (PNC), and eight civilians during an alleged military incursion that has not yet been clarified.
The Minister of the Interior, Marco Antonio Villeda, indicated this Wednesday, November 11, that the decision will be evaluated at the security table, where authorities are reviewing measures to contain the violence in the department in the east of the country.
"We are analyzing all of these issues and I believe that in a few days we will make a decision," the official said when asked about the possibility of adopting an extraordinary measure for Zacapa, after participating in a hearing at Congress.
Villeda did not specify what modality the authorities are considering or what restrictions could be applied. The Law on Public Order empowers the President of the Republic, in Council of Ministers, to declare states of exception in the face of a serious disturbance of the peace, public calamity, invasion, or activities against the security of the State.
The discussion arises after the massacre that occurred at the end of September in Huité, where eight people died in an incident that remains under judicial seal. The case includes investigations into the presence of members of the E…
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The Government of Guatemala is analyzing the decree of a state of exception in Zacapa following high-impact crimes. (File/Attorney General's Office of Guatemala) The Government of Guatemala will analyze whether to decree a state of exception in Zacapa following a succession of armed attacks that left at least 12 high-impact deaths in recent weeks, including Deputy Julio César Portillo Paz and three National Civil Police (PNC) agents and eight civilians during a presumed military incursion that has not yet been clarified. The Minister of the Interior, Marco Antonio Villeda, indicated this Wednesday, November 11, that the decision will be evaluated in the security table, where authorities review measures to contain violence in the eastern department of the country. "We are analyzing all those issues, and I believe in a few days we will make a decision," the official stated when consulted about the possibility of adopting an extraordinary provision for Zacapa, after participating in a summons to Congress. Villeda did not specify what modality the authorities are considering or what restrictions could be applied. The Public Order Law empowers the President of the Republic, in the Council of Ministers, to declare states of exception in the face of a serious disturbance of peace, public calamity, invasion, or activities against state security. The discussion arises after the massacre that occurred at the end of September in Huité, where eight people died in an incident that remains under judicial reserve. The case includes investigations into the presence of members of the Guatemalan Army in the municipality during the events. The entrance to the municipality of Huité, in Zacapa, Guatemala, has a banner with photographs of the victims who died during a confused armed incident last September 27. (Facebook) The situation worsened on November 6, when Julio Portillo, a deputy for Zacapa from the National Unity of Hope (UNE), died after an armed attack at kilometer 137 of the route to the Atlantic, in Río Hondo. Three police officers assigned to his custody also died. Zacapa is listed among the departments with the highest homicide rates in the country. The Diálogos Violence Observatory placed the department in fourth place nationally, with an annual rate of 31.5 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants in the 12 months closed in September 2026. The Minister of the Interior maintained that there are still no elements to determine if the murder of Julio Portillo was linked to his political activity. He pointed out that this conclusion must come from the investigation of the Attorney General's Office (MP). Deputy Julio César Portillo Paz died at the Zacapa Regional Hospital due to bullet wounds to the face and skull, after being the victim of an armed attack. (File/Congress of Guatemala) "To venture or anticipate saying whether this is a product of violence motivated by the political activities of former deputy Portillo, I think it is a bit adventurous," Villeda declared after a summons to Congress. The legislator had received police protection after a risk assessment conducted in 2024 identified death threats against him. The deceased agents were Fernando Antonio Reyes Aldana, Erick Armides Ramos Osorio, and Jorge Paau Xicol. The investigations must establish the circumstances of the attack, identify those responsible, and determine if there was a relationship between the crime and Portillo's political practice. Villeda also referred to the murder of former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, which occurred on October 17 at the sports fields of Campo Marte, in Zone 5 of Guatemala City. The minister assured that the investigation has registered progress, although he ruled out revealing additional information because the file is under judicial reserve. Authorities report progress in the case of Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa and are investigating seven police officers for irregularities. (File / AFP) "Yes, there has been progress, but I cannot give more details because this is, first, under investigation and, second, under judicial reserve by decision," he said. The athlete Gustavo Aguilar Gamarro also died in the attack. Authorities are investigating possible irregularities in the capture of two people after the crime, while seven police officers face inquiries linked to that procedure. Calls for Villeda's resignation arose amid questioning regarding recent acts of violence and police actions under investigation. Minister Marco Antonio Villeda ruled out resigning and left his continued tenure in the position to the discretion of President Bernardo Arévalo. (File / Infobae América) The minister stated that he respects the criticism, although he maintained that he has not considered abandoning the head of the Interior position. He added that President Bernardo Arévalo will be the one to evaluate his performance and decide if he continues in the position. "I respect all opinions, but at this moment I have not considered it," he responded. "In the end, it is the President who will have that decision," he concluded.