Tuesday, February 17, 2026-Guatemala has officially ended a month-long state of emergency declared in response to a surge in gang-linked violence that left multiple police officers dead. The special decree had granted security forces expanded powers, including warrantless arrests and limits on certain civil liberties, as part of an intensified campaign against organized crime. President Bernardo Arévalo announced a transition to a less restrictive security framework aimed at preserving public safety gains while restoring standard legal procedures.
During the emergency period, authorities reported significant enforcement activity, including the arrest of at least 83 suspected gang members and a decline in reported homicides and extortion cases compared with the same period last year. The crackdown followed coordinated violence attributed to powerful criminal groups, including deadly attacks linked to prison unrest and retaliatory assaults on police. As gang activity declined under increased police and military pressure, officials said conditions had improved enough to lift the extraordinary measures.
While the end of the emergency signals a move toward stabilization, security operations will continue under a revised framework without sweeping emergency powers. Joint patrols in high-crime areas are expected to remain active as authorities work to sustain pressure on criminal networks and protect communities. Crime remains a serious challenge, but government leaders argue the strategy has produced measurable results and are emphasizing a balance between firm enforcement and the protection of civil liberties.
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