Drug trafficking seeks influence in elections and local governments in Guatemala, says deputy interior minister

Guatemalan government officials have warned that organized crime and drug trafficking organizations are increasingly seeking to infiltrate public institutions, local governments, and electoral processes in the country. Fifth Vice Minister of the Interior Víctor Hugo Cruz Reynoso highlighted that these criminal networks specifically target elections and municipal administrations to expand their operational reach and secure political influence.

In addition to attempting political penetration, authorities report that drug trafficking in Guatemala is undergoing a significant diversification. Rather than remaining strictly confined to the traditional transit of illicit substances, criminal operations have expanded to include local storage, processing, and distribution of narcotics.