The United States Department of State, through a travel advisory, suggested that tourists reconsider traveling to Guatemala due to crime, since it has some areas that present greater risk.
According to reports, crimes such as murder, extortion, armed robbery, drug trafficking, are some of the most common activities carried out by criminals in the country.
They indicate that the departments with the highest incidence of criminal acts are: San Marcos, Huehuetenango as well as zone 18 of the capital and Villa Nueva
US authorities add that US police may lack the resources to deal effectively with illegal acts, resulting in a low rate of arrests and convictions.
They highlight that the National Tourist Assistance Program of Guatemala provides 24-hour emergency assistance with routine guidance to tourists, by calling 1500.
Because of the reported crime issue, US government personnel and their family members are prohibited from traveling to the above areas for personal travel.
However, they do allow them to travel to the rest of Guatemala, including tourist destinations such as Tikal, Antigua, Atitlán, among others.
Writing: Roxana de León