Guatemala City -by Yuliza Muñoz, AGN- The Ministry of the Interior -Mingob- reported that more than 400 agents from the Tourist Division -Disetur- of the National Civil Police -PNC- have been deployed throughout the country.
According to the institution, the agents are distributed over than 15 delegations and are tasked to ensure the safety of national and foreign tourists.
This year, the aim is to reinforce mechanisms for visitor protection. Therefore, the agents will primarily patrol volcanoes, beaches, parks, markets, archaeological sites, and tourist routes.
Disetur agents are responsible for providing assistance and guidance to tourists. Additionally, they give information on high-risk areas and humanitarian services when required.
Arrested Individuals
The authorities of Disetur reported that from January 1 to March 10, 169 arrests were made for different offenses, including:
- 4 for illegal possession of firearms
- 5 for housebreaking
- 6 for disobedience
- 7 for fighting
- 10 for possession for consumption
- 11 for robbery
- 21 for arrest warrants
- 42 for driver responsibility
- 44 for inebriety and scandal
Furthermore, the police stations that reported more arrests were Río Dulce, Esquipulas, Puerto San José, Quetzaltenango, Antigua Guatemala, Cobán, Panajachel, Retalhuleu, and Coatepeque.
Among the results of these actions carried out in the first two months of the year the recovery of one car and two motorcycles stands out, as well as the seizure of:
- 41 motorcycles
- 17 vehicles
- Two cocaine wraps
- 19 marihuana bags
- 15 crack wraps
- Four firearms
Preventive Actions
The tourist security institution has planned several activities to promote citizen participation, including:
- Two training sessions for the tourism sector
- Three advertising campaigns
- Three campaigns on the recovery of public spaces
- Five cultural activities
- Seven “A Day with my Community” activities
- 25 visits to authorities
- 26 Door-to-Door plan operations
