The Guatemalan army has declared a state of emergency Sunday in a province north of the country (region of Coban) which, according to authorities, is controlled by Mexican drug traffickers.
A spokesman for the president of Guatemala said the government was preparing the ground for a month to intervene in the province of Alta Verapaz. He wanted to regain control of cities that are under the influence of the Zetas gang, Ronaldo Robles told on air of radio station Emisoras Unidas. Martial law allows the government to detain suspects and conduct searches without warrants. It may also prohibit possession of firearms, ban public gatherings and monitor local medial thanks to this exceptional law, which is given to the state in cases of terrorism, sedition or rebellion, or as soon as events "threaten the constitutional order or security of the state" .
The state of emergency was introduced for a period of 30 days but "will last as long as necessary" said Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom.
The Zetas gang is composed of former soldiers who took their first steps into the Gulf cartel as henchmen before emancipated. The authorities said the Zetas would have established in Guatemala two years ago. According Ronaldo Robles, the traffickers have control over many cities in the province of Alta Verapaz. The government, he said, decided it was time to act and to regain control of these cities. Sunday, drug agents wearing ski masks patrolled the streets of Coban, the capital Provincial. Police and soldiers searched at least 16 homes and offices. They also stopped all vehicles entering and leaving the city, according to the website of the government.
0 comments:
Post a Comment