Guatemala Minister Villeda pushes law to tighten gun penalties

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda urged judges not to grant substitute measures to anyone detained for carrying firearms without a licence, describing the conduct as serious. He announced that a bill to amend the Penal Code will be presented to the Congress of the Republic this week, aiming to eliminate alternative sanctions for illegal gun possession.

The minister cited data from the Ministry of the Interior showing that more than 1,000 people were captured for illegal firearm possession between January and July. He highlighted recent arrests of two members of the Mara Salvatrucha and two individuals linked to the Barrio 18 gang, all caught with unlicensed weapons. Villeda also referenced a recent spike in violence that left 24 people dead on a Saturday, prompting a review of security strategy and increased operations in high‑crime areas.

The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen public security, including prison de‑congestion plans and ongoing drug‑seizure operations.