Guatemala reports surge in bodies abandoned in bags and sheets

Guatemala has recorded 137 instances of bodies being abandoned in plastic bags, sheets, or sacks between January and October 2026. This figure represents more than triple the 39 cases reported during the entirety of 2025, according to statistics from the Attorney General’s Office.

Authorities, including the National Civil Police, attribute the surge to territorial disputes and criminal rivalries between gangs, specifically targeting control over drug distribution areas. Investigations also suggest some killings may serve as disciplinary actions within criminal organizations. The primary groups involved in these violent conflicts are identified as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18.

Of the 137 victims, 68 were found in plastic bags, 53 were wrapped in sheets, and 10 were in sacks. The majority of these findings have occurred in the department of Guatemala, which accounts for 105 of the cases. Bodies are typically left in desolate areas, along roadsides, or within urban sectors.