Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arevalo had sought particular powers following the killing of 10 cops by suspected gang members.
| Picture Credit score: AFP
Guatemala lifted its state of emergency on Monday (February 16, 2026), one month after President Bernardo Arévalo sought particular powers following the killing of 10 cops by suspected gang members.
The measure had restricted some constitutional rights, permitting authorities to do issues like make arrests with out a warrant issued by a decide. That won’t be allowed underneath much less restrictive measures scheduled to take impact on Tuesday (February 17, 2026), however Mr. Arévalo has not detailed precisely what these might be.
The brand new measures wouldn’t require congressional approval or renewal.
Mr. Arévalo mentioned on Sunday (February 15, 2026) that 83 gang members had been arrested through the state of emergency and that homicides and reviews of extortion had fallen through the interval in contrast with the identical stretch a 12 months earlier. He didn’t present figures.
The transient state of emergency contrasts with extraordinary powers granted to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele to take care of gang violence which were renewed month-to-month by that nation’s Congress for practically 4 years.
In January, gangs in Guatemala retaliated towards police after authorities put down riots in three prisons.
Revealed – February 17, 2026 10:21 am IST