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Guatemala lawmaker and three police officers killed in Zacapa attack
Guatemalan deputy Julio César Portillo Paz and three National Civil Police (PNC) officers were killed during an armed attack in Río Hondo, Zacapa, on Friday, November 6, 2026. The assailants intercepted the lawmaker’s vehicle at kilometer 137 of the Atlantic route, using high-power weapons.
The deceased police officers were identified as Fernando Reyes Aldana, Jorge Paau Xicol, and Erick Armides Ramos Osorio. Authorities stated the officers died while attempting to repel the direct assault on the deputy. Portillo Paz, who represented the Zacapa district and was a member of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, died at the Zacapa Regional Hospital due to severe injuries to his face and skull.
President Bernardo Arévalo condemned the criminal attack and instructed security forces to cooperate fully with the Public Ministry to identify the perpetrators. The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors processing the crime scene and collecting ballistic evidence. The incident occurred in a region known for drug trafficking activity, specifically linked to the Lorenzana family cartel.
Entities
Bernardo Arévalo · Guatemalan Congress · Julio César Portillo Paz · Ministry of the Interior · National Civil Police · National Hope Unity · National Unity of Hope · Zacapa
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] High-power weapon shell casings were found at the scene. almomento.net · pasoapaso.com.do · diaadianews.com · hch.tv
- [● 10 SOURCES] Deputy Julio César Portillo Paz was killed in an armed attack in Zacapa. almomento.net · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · srnnews.com · +4 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Three National Civil Police (PNC) officers were killed in the attack. almomento.net · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · srnnews.com · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] President Bernardo Arévalo instructed security forces to cooperate with the Public Ministry. srnnews.com · www.elinformadorchile.cl · tvaztecaguate.com · antiguatribune.com · www.velvetclassic.net · +3 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Julio Portillo Paz was a member of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party. almomento.net · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · srnnews.com · +12 more
- [● 23 SOURCES] The police officers died while repelling the attack against the deputy. almomento.net · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · diaadianews.com · +17 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] The attack occurred in Río Hondo, Zacapa. www.senenews.com · srnnews.com · diaadianews.com · tvaztecaguate.com · hch.tv · +19 more
- [● 13 SOURCES] The deceased officers were identified as Fernando Reyes Aldana, Jorge Paau Xicol, and Érick Armides Ramos Osorio. diaadianews.com · epinvestiga.com · almomento.net · emisorasunidas.com · www.prensalibre.com · +8 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] President Bernardo Arévalo instructed security forces to cooperate with the Public Ministry to identify the perpetrators. srnnews.com · www.elinformadorchile.cl · tvaztecaguate.com · antiguatribune.com · www.losmocanos.com · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The attack occurred at kilometer 137 of the route to the Atlantic. diaadianews.com · hch.tv · paradigma.hn · www.prensalibre.com · n.com.do · +3 more
- [● 24 SOURCES] Deputy Julio César Portillo Paz was killed following an armed attack in Zacapa. almomento.net · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · srnnews.com · +19 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The deceased police officers were Jorge Paau Xicol, Érick Armides Ramos Osorio, and Fernando Reyes Aldana. diaadianews.com