Antigua Guatemala bus service restored after two‑day security shutdown

The inter‑urban bus service linking Antigua Guatemala with the capital was suspended for two days after drivers received extortion threats from criminal groups. The Governor of Sacatepéquez Department and officials from Police National Civil Comisaría 74 met with transport union representatives to arrange increased patrols and security escorts along the Inter‑American route.

Following the agreement, the service was scheduled to resume progressively on 29 July 2026. Authorities pledged to maintain a visible police presence to protect drivers, helpers and passengers. The shutdown had forced commuters to rely on taxis, paying between Q50 and Q70 per trip.

During the first half of 2026, Guatemala recorded 60 deaths and 44 injuries in violent attacks on passenger‑vehicle collectives, including 22 injured passengers and nine passenger fatalities. The incidents also claimed the lives of 17 mototaxi drivers, eight extra‑urban bus drivers, six collective‑taxi drivers, three unauthorized‑taxi drivers and three alleged criminals. Transport union leader Edgar Guerra warned that violence against public transport had risen, and the union sought a Q2 fare increase to offset the higher operating costs.