Embassy of the United States

June 2007

06/16/07

Agua Volcano, Sacatepequez: Two men armed with machetes stole an American’s backpack and money, while he was climbing on the volcano.

06/08/07

Guatemala City, Zone 10: As an adult American was leaving her place of work, armed men attempted to force her into a vehicle. The victim fought back, and escaped unharmed.

06/08/07

Guatemala City, Zone 1: An American tourist was murdered just outside of the Central Market (Mercado Central) around 1 p.m. Earlier, the victim went to the Banco Industrial bank in Zone 4 of Guatemala City and withdrew a large sum of cash. The cash was still in her possession, when she and other family members were standing outside the Central Market in Zone 1. She was held up at gunpoint, resisted, and was shot to death.

06/01/07

Quetzaltenango: A long-term foreign resident was murdered at her home along with her husband.

May 2007

05/22/07

Tikal, Petén: Six foreign tourists (including 4 Americans) were assaulted by four men with guns and ski masks. The tourists, along with a local driver and two guides, were in a microbus at Km. 41 of the road heading from Flores to Tikal, when the assailants forced the vehicle to stop and stole cameras and other personal belongings. No one was injured.

05/14/07

Guatemala City, Zone 1: An American was held up at gunpoint at a traffic intersection, shortly after arriving at Guatemala City’s airport. Money, a U.S. passport, and other belongings were stolen.

05/10/07

Santiago Atitlán, Sololá: Four Americans were robbed at gunpoint appx. 5 Km. outside of Santiago, while driving towards San Pedro. Two robbers jumped out of the bushes, fired guns in the air, and demanded money, phones, and cameras. No one was injured.

April 2007

04/16/07

Guatemala City, Zone 9: An American withdrew money from a bank in Zone 4 (Banco Industrial) of Guatemala City. She and another foreigner were driving away from the bank, when they were forced to stop in Zone 9 by four men riding two motorcycles. The men pulled out guns and demanded money, and knew that the bulk of the money was in the victim’s backpack. The victim gave up the money, and was not harmed.

04/03/07

Asunción Mita, Jutiapa: An American resident of Guatemala was driving on a dirt road, with two local friends. They saw eight men wearing ski masks and carrying guns, so tried to turn around. The assailants fired into the back of the car, killing the American, at Km. 149 Balneario San Juan, Asunción Mita, Jutiapa.

March 2007

03/24/07

Acatenango Volcano, Sacatepequez: While hiking up the volcano at night on an organized tour, a group of 7 (including at least 2 Americans) was robbed by three men armed with guns.

03/22/07

Guatemala City, Zone 11: Around 11:30 pm, five Americans driving in two separate cars were forced to stop by armed men driving a Volkswagen Jetta and wearing ski masks. The victims believe they were followed from the shopping center Miraflores around 11:30 pm. After the Americans were forced to stop, the gunmen said they wanted one of the vehicles and to kidnap the two females. They stole possessions, including the victims’ U.S. driver’s licenses and credit cards, but did not attempt to kidnap them and did not take the cars.

03/15/07

Guatemala City, Zone 6: Three American medical volunteers were at a patient’s home, when five men with firearms entered the home and stole money and medicine.

February 2007

02/22/07

Guatemala City, Zone 13: Two Americans were carjacked shortly after leaving the airport around 10:00 pm. The gunmen stole money, credit cards, and identification. The victims’ vehicle was later recovered.

02/14/07

Guatemala City, Zone 10: An American and two Guatemalans were carjacked around 11:15 p.m. while en route from the airport to a hotel in Zone 10. While driving down a one-way street, a car in the lane next to the victims suddenly pulled in front of them, forcing their car to stop. Two men with handguns got out of the car, told the victims to get out of their car, and demanded money. The carjackers then got into the victims’ car and pushed the American inside, possibly in an attempt to abduct him. The American escaped from the car right away, but the car, including its contents (American’s luggage and money) was stolen.

January 2007

01/27/07

Mixco, Guatemala: An American was assaulted at a car wash in the San Cristobal area of Mixco, while dropping off his car. The assailants attacked him with knives and hammers and stole keys to his car and house, along with his passport, cash, and credit cards.

01/25/07

Valle Nuevo, Jutiapa: An American long-time resident of El Salvador was shot to death shortly after crossing the border from El Salvador to Guatemala.

01/17/07

Antigua, Sacatepequez: A group of Americans were hiking in Cerro De La Cruz (by the giant cross overlooking Antigua) when two men bearing guns and machetes robbed them of all their possessions.

01/11/07

Colomba, Quetzaltenango: A group of eight American volunteers traveling in a microbus were stopped by two armed men wearing ski masks. Cameras, cellphones, and money were stolen.

View Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners during 2006