Security alert issued for tropical destination after major gangs attack police

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala has issued a information alert informing Americans to usage "increased caution" erstwhile successful the Central American country. 

"The U.S. Embassy has lifted the shelter-in-place bid for their staff," says the alert, which was issued Sunday. "The concern remains tense with coordinated, equipped attacks connected constabulary successful respective zones of Guatemala City."

The Embassy recommends that Americans show section media for updates, debar crowds and demonstrations, and purpose to support a "low profile."

VACATION DESTINATION SLAPPED WITH INCREASED TRAVEL ADVISORY DUE TO 'VIOLENT CRIME'

Travelers are advised to reappraisal idiosyncratic information plans and minimize unnecessary movements.

The alert comes arsenic gangs person attacked Guatemalan constabulary aft seizing power of 3 prisons successful coordinated riots, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

A pack revolted astatine 3 prisons successful Guatemala recently, leaving 10 constabulary officers dead.  (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Over 2.9 cardinal planetary visitors traveled to Guatemala betwixt January and November 2025, according to the Guatemalan Tourism Institute.

President Bernardo Arévalo issued an exigency declaration aft prisoners took 43 guards hostage, sidesplitting 10 officers.

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There were "coordinated actions by self-named maras oregon gangs against authorities information forces, including equipped attacks against civilian authorities," the declaration noted. 

The unit has been linked to large transgression gangs specified arsenic Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), some labeled arsenic violent organizations by Guatemala and the United States, according to AP.

The Embassy recommends Americans show section media for updates, debar crowds and demonstrations, and support a "low profile" successful Guetamala (shown supra successful an aerial video view).  (iStock)

At the time, the U.S. Embassy issued a connection to AP condemning the attacks.

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"These terrorists, arsenic good arsenic those who cooperate with them oregon are linked to them, person nary spot successful our hemisphere," the connection read.

The U.S. State Department lists Guatemala astatine "Level 3: Reconsider Travel." (iStock)

"The information of the Guatemalan radical and the stableness of our hemisphere indispensable prevail," it continued.

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"We reaffirm our enactment for Guatemala’s information forces to curb the violence."

The U.S. State Department lists Guatemala astatine "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" status. 

"We reaffirm our enactment for Guatemala’s information forces to curb the violence."

The State Department has 4 question advisory levels to assistance travelers measure information risks earlier visiting different countries.

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The advisory levels are: Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions; Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution; Level 3 – Reconsider Travel; and Level 4 – Do Not Travel.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.