Guatemalan Troops Deployed to Combat Gangs in Capital

Feb 18, 2026

71 min

Feb 18, 2026 01:31

Guatemalan troops deploy to gang-plagued capital

## Military Operation Launched

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo has initiated "Plan Sentinel," deploying troops and military police to Guatemala City to combat gang violence. This move follows a series of attacks in January that resulted in the deaths of 11 police officers and led to a month-long state of emergency.

## Targeting Notorious Gangs

The operation aims to dismantle the influence of the Barrio 18 and MS-13 gangs, notorious for their control over urban areas. These groups have been labeled as terrorist organizations by both Guatemala and the United States.

## Security Measures

Heavily armed forces, equipped with armored vehicles and machine guns, are focusing on northern neighborhoods where gang activity is prevalent. The exact number of troops involved in the operation has not been disclosed.

## Government's Stance

President Arevalo is determined to demonstrate his administration's capability to address crime and extortion without resorting to human rights abuses, contrasting with approaches by some regional right-wing governments. The president has also suggested that recent violence may be part of a broader plot by criminals and political adversaries to destabilize his government.

## Impact of State of Emergency

The recent state of emergency reportedly led to a significant reduction in crime, with a 50% decrease in homicides and a 33% drop in extortion cases compared to the previous year. This period followed coordinated gang attacks after authorities attempted to regain control of prisons dominated by these groups.

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