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2 clusters · 55 sources · 3 days · First seen 3 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Assassination of Guatemalan Deputy Julio Portillo Paz

Overview

Guatemalan deputy Julio César Portillo Paz and three National Civil Police officers were killed during an armed ambush in Río Hondo, Zacapa. The attack targeted the deputy’s convoy near kilometer 137 of the Atlantic route on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Reports indicate that the deceased officers, identified as Fernando Reyes Aldana, Jorge Paau Xicol, and Érick Armides Ramos Osorio, died while attempting to repel the assault to protect the deputy. Portillo Paz, a representative for the Zacapa district and member of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party, was transported to the Zacapa Regional Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries to his face and skull while in intensive care.

President Bernardo Arévalo condemned the criminal violence and instructed security forces to cooperate fully with the Public Ministry to identify those responsible. Authorities recovered several high-power weapon shell casings and rifle magazines at the scene. The Ministry of the Interior is investigating the motive, noting that the violence occurs amid heightened concerns regarding organized crime, extortion, and drug trafficking in the Zacapa region. The area is reportedly known for drug trafficking activity controlled by the Lorenzana family cartel, which has links to the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico.

Following the attack, the Guatemalan Congress, the UNE party, and the business sector group CACIF issued statements mourning the victims and calling for a swift investigation to bring those responsible to justice.

Entities

Julio César Portillo Paz · Ministry of the Interior · Zacapa · National Civil Police · National Hope Unity

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 24 SOURCES] The attack occurred in Río Hondo, Zacapa. emisorasunidas.com · www.senenews.com · srnnews.com · diaadianews.com · tvaztecaguate.com · +19 more
[● 24 SOURCES] Deputy Julio César Portillo Paz was killed following an armed attack in Zacapa. almomento.net · emisorasunidas.com · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · +19 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 · +18 more
[● 19 SOURCES] Three National Civil Police (PNC) officers died in the attack. almomento.net · emisorasunidas.com · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · +14 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Julio Portillo Paz was a member of the National Unity of Hope (UNE) party. almomento.net · emisorasunidas.com · www.senenews.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · pasoapaso.com.do · +13 more
[● 13 SOURCES] The deceased officers were identified as Fernando Reyes Aldana, Jorge Paau Xicol, and Érick Armides Ramos Osorio. diaadianews.com · emisorasunidas.com · epinvestiga.com · almomento.net · www.prensalibre.com · +8 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
[● 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
[● 4 SOURCES] High-power weapon shell casings were found at the scene. almomento.net · pasoapaso.com.do · diaadianews.com · hch.tv

Timeline

1 day ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 34 sources
Guatemala lawmaker and three police officers killed in Zacapa attack
Guatemalan deputy Julio César Portillo Paz and three police officers were killed in an armed attack in Zacapa, prompting a government investigation into the violent incident.
3 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 25 sources
Guatemala: Deputy Julio Portillo and three police officers killed in Zacapa ambush
Guatemalan deputy Julio Portillo and three police officers were killed during an armed ambush on his convoy in Zacapa.

Sources

ahoradigital.net · almomento.net · alphatv.gr · antiguatribune.com · atacamanoticias.cl · centroamerica360.com · croniosv.com · dete.gr · diaadianews.com · diarionoticias.do · egyptoil-gas.com · eldia.com.do · elinformadorchile.cl · elpais.com · elperiodico.com.bo · elperiscopio.cl · emisorasunidas.com · epinvestiga.com · exitonoticias.com.bo · finde.latercera.com · g5noticias.cl · guyanainquirer.com · hch.tv · knal4quiche.com · lanacion.cl · lanoticiasv.com · lapostacomodorense.com.ar · laregiontula.com.mx · lasnoticiasdelvalle.com · latercera.com · losmocanos.com · mendozatoday.com.ar · miperiodico.com.ar · n.com.do · naftemporiki.gr · newscentraltv.com · noticiasnrt.com · ovejeronoticias.cl · paradigma.hn · pasoapaso.com.do · periodicovirtual.com · poresto.com · prensa-latina.cu · prensalibre.com · quintafuerza.mx · reportediario.cl · senenews.com · srnnews.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history