Insecurity: Achilles'
Heel of the Guatemalan
Government
Insecurity and the
crisis in the
transportation as a
result of attacks
against drivers are the
main problems that the
government of Guatemalan
President Alvaro Colom
will have to tackle, a
month after his
inauguration.
Over the past few days,
the chain murders of 15
drivers and assistants
have caused roadblocks,
partial strikes in some
bus lines and the
resignation of 180
workers.
Colom described the
attacks on drivers as
terrorist actions, and
said they are a response
from organized crime to
the government's
operations to regain
control of the red
zones.
"It is evident that
there are groups
interested in
destabilizing the
government," said the
president, who urged
Congress to approve
pending laws on
security.
Almost immediately after
his swearing-in ceremony
on January 14, Colom
ordered operations to
fight crime and retake
the territories held by
organized crime.
He also implemented the
so-called "Plan
Cuadrante" (Quadrant
Plan), which consists of
dividing the city into
eight-block areas and
deploy two police
officers and a squad car
permanently.
Despite all those
measures, there is no
security yet, assaults
and extortions continue,
and 12-13 murders are
reported every day.
"The many causes of
crime in Guatemala make
the fight against crime
very complex, Deputy
Hector Nuila told Prensa
Latina.
The Interior Ministry is
weighing the possibility
of taking more drastic
measures, including a
curfew in some
neighborhoods and
municipalities where the
crime rate has
escalated.
However, social and
humanitarian
organizations called on
the government to
prioritize prevention,
strengthen the judicial
system and find joint
solutions between
society and the State to
curb violence. |
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