The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala issued a warning to American travelers earlier this week, citing ongoing security risks in Guatemala City.
Officials raised concerns about ongoing violence and armed attacks on local law enforcement in a Jan. 18
security alert, noting that Embassy personnel had been told to shelter in place.
The order was later lifted, but officials said the situation was still tense, "with coordinated, armed attacks on police in several zones of Guatemala City."
"The Embassy recommends using increased caution if you must travel and to follow the local news and announcements from the Government of Guatemala for more information," an
update reads.
The warning followed riots in three Guatemalan prisons on Jan. 17, when inmates took more than 40 guards hostage. Officials said the unrest triggered attacks by suspected gang members across the capital city, leaving at least 10 police officers dead.
Guatemala President Bernardo Arévalo subsequently declared a 30-day state of siege,
noting that the attacks were "an attempt to terrorize security forces and the population so that the government relents in its head-on fight against the gangs."
Guatemala's Ministry of the Interior said in a statement on Tuesday that authorities had regained control of the prisons, emphasizing that the government does not negotiate with criminals.
"The leaders of criminal organizations are isolated," the agency
wrote on X. "In response to rumors circulating about alleged negotiations with criminal organizations following recent transfers within the prison system, the Ministry of the Interior categorically clarifies that there are no, have been no, and will be no negotiations of any kind with criminal organizations."
Guatemala, situated between Mexico and Honduras, is a popular tourist destination, welcoming nearly 3.4 million international visitors in 2025, up from just over 3 million the previous year, Tourism Analytics
reports.
However, Guatemala remains under a "Level 3" travel advisory, which the U.S. Department of State issued in December 2024. The alert urges Americans to reconsider travel to the Central American country, citing high rates of crime. The San Marcos and Huehuetenango Departments, as well as Villa Nueva and Zone 18 in Guatemala City, are listed as places that should be avoided.
"Some areas of Guatemala have problems with gangs, robbery, carjacking, drug trafficking and violence," the
notice reads. "Local law enforcement may not always respond well to serious crimes, leading to low arrest and conviction rates. While tourists are not usually targeted, they can still be victims of opportunistic crimes."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
