Slot machines and gangs in Guatemala: the money that strengthens the structures, the recruitment of minors and the network of “flags” that protects them

The National Civil Police (PNC) of Guatemala has established a link between slot machines and local gangs, revealing that these criminal structures own many of the gambling devices. According to the reporting, the machines function as a source of financial strength for the gangs, while also being tied to the recruitment of minors and a network of lookouts known as "banderas" that protect the illicit operations.

Simultaneously, regional coverage highlights the ongoing threat of insecurity posed by gangs in neighboring Haiti, where the official electoral calendar schedules the first round of presidential and legislative elections for December 13, 2026, followed by a runoff on February 21, 2027. The daily reality in Haiti underscores the severe challenges these armed structures present to democratic processes and institutional stability in the region.