Guatemala approves state of siege declaration

Guatemala’s Congress voted overwhelmingly to approve a temporary state of siege in six northeastern provinces, a measure designed to tighten security after several soldiers were killed by suspected drug traffickers.

The initiative passed by a vote of 88 lawmakers in favor and nine opposed in the Central American country’s unicameral legislature.

The 30-day state of siege imposes a night-time curfew in the northeastern provinces of Alta Verapaz, El Progreso, Izabal, Peten, Zacapa and Baja Verapaz, which together make up a drug-trafficking corridor that runs from Honduras to Mexican border.

The state of siege law also gives the military new powers to arrest and interrogate suspects and prohibits organized protests in the targeted areas as well as some meetings, although it does not specify the number of people that can legally meet.

Outgoing President Jimmy Morales declared the state of siege last week, arguing it is needed to better target criminal groups operating in these areas.

Via Reuters