[REVISION HISTORY]

Assassination of Guatemalan Deputy Julio Portillo Paz

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2026-11-07 17:43 UTC → 2026-11-07 22:46 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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