Gunmen Kill Three Officers in Attack on Guatemala Lawmaker

Three police officers were killed on Friday in an armed attack targeting a lawmaker in Guatemala, while the politician escaped unharmed.

Congressman Julio Portillo was in Rio Hondo, a town in the eastern department of Zacapa, when the attack occurred.

Zacapa is known for drug trafficking activities.

Local firefighting official Byron Vasquez confirmed the incident to reporters.

The Interior Ministry said the three victims were officers of the National Civil Police who prevented a “direct attack against the lawmaker”.

The attackers fled the scene and their identities were not immediately known.

The Lorenzana family cartel controls drug trafficking activities in Zacapa and has links to Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel.

Portillo won his seat in 2023 under the opposition Cabal party but has since moved to the National Unity of Hope party, led by former first lady Sandra Torres.

Torres is expected to contest Guatemala’s presidential election next year.