Guatemala 2009 Crime & Safety Report

Crime & Safety Report

Americas - Guatemala
October 02 2009

Overall Crime and Safety Situation

Over the past several years, the violent crime rate has increased in Guatemala. The most pronounced example is the number of homicides, which increased 40 percent from 4,507 homicides in 2004 to 6,292 homicides in 2008, according to official police statistics. The prosecution rate, however, has remained between two percent and three percent. Also, the number of national police officers (PNC) has not increased to meet the growing threat. Guatemala's homicide rate in 2008 was about 53 per 100,000 persons. For comparison, the U.S. homicide rate was about 5.6 per 100,000 persons. Despite the rising crime rate, there is no specific targeting of American citizens, and tourists of all nationalities accounted for only 0.5 percent of all robberies in 2008.

The national police force is inexperienced and underfunded, and the judicial system is overworked and inefficient. Criminals, who are sometimes armed with an impressive array of weapons, know that there is little chance they will be caught and punished. While the current administration has sought to make crime reduction a priority, the violent crime rate has continued to climb.

In spite of regional initiatives, gangs continue to be a concern in Guatemala City and rural areas, although they have a far greater impact on Guatemalans than on foreigners. Gang members are often well armed.

Emboldened armed robbers have attacked vehicles on main roads in broad daylight. Travel on rural roads increases the risk of a criminal roadblock or ambush. Widespread narcotics and alien smuggling activities can make remote areas especially dangerous. Though there is no evidence that Americans are targeted, criminals look for every opportunity to attack, so all travelers should remain vigilant.

As the economic situation in Guatemala declines and remittances from the U.S. fall, the number of extortions has risen dramatically. Typically, prisoners call random numbers and threaten the caller with serious injury or death if the extortion demand is not met. A recent study found that 90 percent of extortion calls originated in prisons, while another five percent stemmed from neighbors and/or family members, and the last five percent originated from gang members. In most cases, changing the phone number and not responding to the threats will resolve the matter. However, cases involving gang members must be taken seriously as they will not hesitate to back up their threats with violence.

There has also been a marked increase in the number of kidnappings, including the kidnapping of dual nationals.

A particularly troubling trend is the use of motorcycles for armed robbery. Commonly, two men on a motorcycle will accost the driver of a car and demand his or her cell phone. In May 2009 a new law went into effect that aimed at curbing this type of robbery. The law states that only the operator is allowed on the motorcycle. The law also says that the motorcycle license plate must be printed on a sticker which is stuck to the back of the motorcycle driver's helmet. This law was effectively used in Colombia in the late 1990s to stem this type of crime.

Theft, armed robbery, and carjacking are the most common problems encountered by American citizens who visit Guatemala. No area of the city is immune to daytime assaults, including the upscale shopping and tourist area of zone 10 in the capital.

Some recent reports of highway robberies include accusations that police, or assailants dressed like police, have been involved. A few have included sexual assaults of victims. Home invasions by armed groups in upscale neighborhoods have occurred. In this scheme, the culprits entice the resident to open the door for a delivery, rushing in when family or staff opens the door.

Over the past several years there has been a marked increase in commercial vehicle robberies. Trucks carrying shipments of electronics or gasoline are particularly attractive to thieves. While businesses themselves accounted for about seven percent of all robberies in 2008, armored vehicle robberies only accounted for .0004 percent of total robberies, indicating that thieves look for the easiest possible target.

Pickpockets and purse-snatchers are prevalent in major cities and tourist sites, especially the central market and other parts of Zone 1 in Guatemala City. Those who offer no resistance when confronted by armed thieves are usually not hurt. Armed robberies for cell phones have on numerous occasions turned violent. There have been several reported incidents over the past 12 months of bank patrons being robbed outside banks after withdrawing large sums of money, indicating possible complicity of bank personnel on the inside. Carjacking and vehicle thefts continue to be a serious problem. Bank robberies, kidnappings, and gang-related crimes are of great concern, and the rates of these crimes remain high.

Road Safety

U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. According to a recent Pan American Health Organization report, Guatemala has the fourth highest traffic fatality rate for all Latin American countries.

Safety of public transportation: poor
Urban road conditions/maintenance: fair
Rural road conditions/maintenance: fair
Availability of roadside/ambulance assistance: fair
Assessment: fair

Driving in Guatemala requires one's full attention, and safe drivers must drive defensively in order to avoid dangerous situations. Driving at night outside of cities should always be avoided. Due to limited enforcement, traffic rules are generally ignored. For example, many drivers do not use their turn signals to alert other drivers. Instead a common custom is for a driver or passenger to stick a hand out the window and wave to indicate that they will be taking an unspecified action. Speed limits, lane markings, and stop signs are frequently ignored. Winding and/or steep mountain roads, poorly designed surfaces, randomly placed speed bumps, unmarked hazards, and buses that are poorly operated and maintained present additional risks to motorists.

A roadside assistance force, PROVIAL, patrols most of the country’s major highways and can be contacted at (502)2419-2121.

Valid U.S. drivers' licenses are accepted for the first 30 days of a visit; however, international driving permits are accepted for longer stays. Guatemala's road safety authorities are the Department of Transit and the Joint Operations Center of the National Police. For Guatemalans, common public transportation is by bus, which serves every town in the country. However, criminal activity and frequent accidents make these recycled U.S. school buses (commonly referred to in many travel guidebooks as "chicken buses") somewhat dangerous. U.S. embassy employees are prohibited from using these buses. Modern inter-city buses offer some security from highway violence, but armed attacks against them show that all buses are vulnerable.

Most city streets are lit, but secondary and rural roads have little to no lighting. The Inter-American highway and the road from Guatemala City to the Atlantic Ocean can be dangerous due to heavy traffic, including large tractor-trailers. Roadside assistance services are very limited. Police patrol the major roadways and have increased due to highway robberies. For roadside assistance travelers may call the police by dialing 120 or the fire department by dialing 122 or 123. There is cellular telephone service coverage in most areas frequented by tourists.

Drivers use the right-hand side of the road in Guatemala, and speed limits are posted depending on the condition of the road. Speed limits are different in rural and urban areas. Turning right on red is not permitted unless otherwise posted, and drivers must yield when entering a traffic circle. Seat belts must be worn, but there are no laws regarding the use of child safety seats. It is against the law for drivers to operate cellular phones while driving. People found driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs are arrested and may serve jail time. In an accident resulting in injury or death, every driver involved is taken into custody until a judge determines responsibility in a re-enactment of the accident.

For additional information about road travel in Guatemala, see U.S. Embassy Guatemala City homepage at http://guatemala.usembassy.gov. For additional general information about road safety, including links to foreign government sites, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/. For specific information concerning Guatemalan driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Guatemalan national tourist organization offices at http://www.visitguatemala.net.

Those contemplating visiting Guatemala for business or pleasure should read the Consular Information Sheet found at http://www.state.gov, before traveling. The embassy home page, http://guatemala.usembassy.gov, lists reported crimes against U.S. citizens and other foreigners.

Visitors to Antigua have had few problems when using the main route from Guatemala City. Travelers using alternate routes out of Antigua have reported some armed assaults in recent years. The tourist destination of Lake Atitlan is best reached only via the Pan-American Highway (CA-1), passing through Los Encuentros and Solola. Winding, hilly secondary roads near the lake have increased risk of violent attacks due to the sparseness of traffic and police patrols. Visitors to the Mayan ruins at Tikal are advised to fly to nearby Flores and then travel by bus or tour van to the site. Overland travel in the rest of Peten department, even on main roads, presents safety concerns.

Overland travelers should arrive at border posts (only the border posts on main routes are recommended) by early afternoon to ensure enough time to clear customs and arrive in a major town before dark. Visitors should also avoid travel along Carretera, El Salvador, east of kilometer 13 (Colegio Maya), between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. due to the increased chance of car-jacking and armed robbery. Recently there have been a series of violent highway robberies along National route 4, between Antigua and Escuintla, and along route 4 on the south side and west shores of Lake Atitlan between San Lucas Toliman and Chacala, and Route 11 on the east shore between San Lucas Toliman and CA-1. Due to these incidents, it is highly advisable to avoid using routes 4 and 11. It is also highly recommended to avoid route 14 between 11. It is also highly recommended to avoid Route 14 between Parramos (north of Antigua) and Escuintla.

Political Violence

Large demonstrations occasionally occur throughout Guatemala, often with little or no notice, and they can cause serious traffic disruptions. Although most demonstrations are peaceful, they can turn violent, and travelers should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place. The use of roadblocks and/or blocking of public facilities, including the international airport, may delay or prevent tourists from reaching their destination.

This past year saw a large number of strikes by bus drivers who are concerned about increasing attacks on public transportation. The bus drivers also point to dwindling profit margins due to increasing extortion fees they pay to local gangs.

In the past several years, Guatemalan citizens’ frustration with crime has led to violent incidents of vigilantism, including stoning, lynching, and burning, especially in isolated rural areas. The fear of foreigners stealing children is pervasive among rural indigenous people; visitors should avoid taking pictures of or paying undue attention to local children. It is wise to avoid any public gathering of agitated citizens; people attempting to intervene have been attacked by mobs.

Post-specific Concerns

In addition to a serious crime problem throughout the country, Guatemala is a geologically active country. Visitors should be aware of the possibility of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and the need for contingency measures. Occasional eruptions by the Fuego and Pacaya volcanoes have forced evacuations of nearby villages and briefly closed Guatemala City's international airport.

Both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Guatemala are vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms from June through November. Mudslides and flooding during the May to November rainy season often kill dozens of people and close roads. In 2005, Hurricane Stan killed thousands and left many more homeless in Guatemala from flooding and landslides. Stan also severely impacted the country's infrastructure, wiping out villages, roads, and bridges throughout the country. For specific information regarding current conditions, go to Guatemala's national weather and geographical authority website at http://www.insivumeh.gob.gt.

General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from FEMA at http://www.fema.gov/.

Police Response

The PNC lacks sufficient personnel and logistical supplies to accomplish their mission. To provide some perspective, the number of sworn law enforcement personnel in the U.S. is about 245 per 100,000persons; in Guatemala this number is 143 per 100,000 persons. The PNC lacks training in many areas, and some have been involved in criminal activities. There have also been several incidents where individuals dressed in police uniforms have been implicated in robberies.

The current administration is actively pursuing police involved in illegal activities and has taken administrative or legal action against an increasing number of officers. Crime scene control in major investigations is considered to be generally poor, which leads to destruction of evidence and contamination of the scene. There is a severe shortage of trained investigators, who frequently take taxis or buses to conduct their interviews. Police response to calls for help can be spotty. The local police 911 equivalent is 110. The Guatemalan government has made a conscientious effort to improve the number of police, including tourist police in high tourist areas, such as Antigua, Tikal, Chichicastenango, and the Lake Atitlan region. If you are detained by the police, please contact the embassy’s duty officer via the 24 hour emergency number: (502) 2331 2354.

Medical Information

A full range of modern medical care is available in Guatemala City, but medical care outside the city is limited. There are some aerial medical evacuation services available in country; however these services are extremely expensive and frequently require payment before the service is rendered. Guatemala’s public hospitals have experienced serious shortages of basic medicines and equipment. Care in private hospitals is generally adequate for most common illnesses and injuries. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can be costly. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, although practically all private hospitals accept major U.S. credit cards.

U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States, and programs such as medicare and medicaid do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provisions for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether your insurance company will make payments directly to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, "Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad," available at the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or fax: (202) 647-3000. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-fyi-trip (1-877-394-8747); fax: 1-888-cdc-faxx (1-888-232-3299); or via the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov. A list of English-speaking doctors in Guatemala City is available on the embassy's website.

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Do not resist armed assailants. Resistance often results in violence.
Limit the number of credit cards and other high-value items you bring with you;
Make copies of the data page in your U.S. passport to facilitate its replacement if lost or stolen;
Check in with the American Citizen Services section of the Embassy when you arrive and just before you leave;
Make sure friends or family know your itinerary and check in with them regularly.
Register online through the State Department's registration system at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

Vehicle Safety

Make sure to lock your doors.
Leave your windows rolled up, and leave at least half a car length of space between you and the car in front of you to maneuver if something happens.
If you have to pull over on the highway, make sure to pick a well-lit area with high visibility or a public place (preferably within view of a police officer).
Do not travel after dark outside of Guatemala City.
It is highly recommended to caravan with at least two cars when traveling outside of Guatemala City.
Avoid gatherings of agitated people.
Check with trusted local staff or associates, or mass media, before venturing out on trips within the country.
It is also highly recommended that if individuals are driving they use a car with slightly tinted windows and not talk on their cell phones. There have been numerous incidents where thieves on motorcycles accost drivers using their cell phones which were plainly visible through non-tinted windows;
Those individuals going as part of tour groups should also inquire if the tour operator uses an unmarked vehicle or one that says "turista" (a clearly marked tourist vehicle). Due to the increasing number of robberies involving clearly-marked tourist vehicles, it would be advisable to use an unmarked vehicle.

Personal Safety

Be conscious of your surroundings and watch for suspicious activity.
Carry your money in a front pocket or put it in a zippered or buttoned back pocket.
Do not display money, jewelry, a cell phone or other perceived valuables.
Never leave a backpack or fanny pack unattended.
A common scam is to cause a distraction in a restaurant, in order to steal valuables left on the table or on the back of the chair.
Other scams include requesting that a person leave a public area ("can you move your car, please"), then robbing them away from witnesses. Another scam involves a person flattening the victim’s tire while they are away, then the perpetrator offers "assistance," which leads to theft or robbery.
Use only well-lit ATMs located with their host banks or those in reputable hotels. ATM theft and skimming scams have recently been on the rise.
Visitors should also be wary of using a laptop in a public place, such as a cafe or in wireless zones throughout the country. There have been incidents of persons robbed because they were using a laptop case (without the computer).

Hotel Safety

Never give out your key.
Do not tell strangers which hotel you are using.
Make sure that you lock your valuables in the hotel safety deposit box.
Watch for suspicious activity as you enter the hotel and your room.
Make sure you lock the door and do not open it for unknown people.

U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State’s pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to have a safer journey. This publication and others, such as Tips for Travelers to Central and South America, are available from the Bureau of Consular Affairs at http://travel.state.gov.

Further Information

Embassy Address

U.S. citizens living in or visiting Guatemala are encouraged to register at the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala City and obtain updated information on travel and security in Guatemala. The Consular section is open for citizen services, including registration, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 7:30a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Fridays, excluding U.S. and Guatemalan holidays. American Citizen Services is open only for emergency services the second and last Fridays of each month. The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenida La Reforma 7-01, zone 10; telephone (502) 2326-4000 during business hours (8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.), or (502) 2331-2354 for emergencies during non-business hours; fax (502) 2326-4674.

OSAC Country Council

The Country Council meets monthly at the American Chamber of Commerce's local office. On May 21-22, 2009, the Council hosted its 4th Annual Regional Security Conference in Antigua Guatemala. Information on the council can be found at the following sites: http://guatemalacity.osac.gov or http://www.amchamguate.com/index.php?showPage=736. Please e-mail the council at comites@amchamguate.com or call 502-2417-0800.