Guatemala waste collectors threaten strike over extortion

Waste collectors in Guatemala City and surrounding municipalities, including Mixco, Chinautla, and San José Pinula, are threatening a strike due to escalating extortion attempts by criminal groups. More than 500 collection units are potentially affected by the dispute.

Workers report that criminals demand significant payments, including an initial “entry fee” of approximately Q25,000 per truck, monthly fees of Q2,000 per unit, and additional weekly payments. Some collectors face up to four simultaneous extortion demands per vehicle, alongside demands for year-end “bonuses” that can reach Q20,000.

An association representative stated that the situation is unsustainable, noting that criminals often send mobile phones to workers to issue death threats. The collectors have called on the Ministry of the Interior and the National Civil Police (PNC) to increase investigations and security measures. If authorities do not intervene, workers may implement a staggered suspension of services, which would impact sanitation for thousands of residents.