Recent Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners

Crime and Public Safety

Recent Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners

The information contained here is based on general reporting of crime incidents in Guatemala affecting both foreign tourists and foreign residents of nationalities from outside the region. Reports of crimes on this website are drawn from a variety of sources and are not intended to be complete or a general analysis of crime in Guatemala. However, these brief descriptions provide information on the types of crimes committed against foreigners. Non-violent crimes, those not involving a weapon, and/or those not involving a substantial loss of property, are not included here. More information on current patterns and trends of crime in Guatemala is included in the Consular Information Sheet (CIS). This list is only additional information, and the CIS remains the Department of State’s definitive statement. Please also read “A Safe Trip Abroad”.

Examples of Crime Incidents Against Foreigners in 2009:

December 2009
12/28/09	Belize-Guatemala: A tourist was robbed of his wallet en route from Belize to Guatemala while on a minibus.
12/28/09	Petén (km 31 to Tikal): Four tourists were robbed of their belongings by an armed gang wearing berets, minutes after leaving on a minibus from the Camino Real Hotel in Flores enroute to Tikal. The group lost cameras, sound equipment and large amounts of cash.
12/26/09	Guatemala City: An individual’s house was broken into and passports and jewelry stolen.
12/24/09	Antigua: An individual’s purse was slashed outside of church and money and passport taken.
12/22/09	Atitlán: A tourist vehicle was stopped by armed robbers and tourists robbed.
12/19/09	Monterrico: A foreign woman and her Guatemalan roommate were raped during an armed robbery of the house in which they were staying with three other persons. $10,000 of equipment was also taken from the house. No suspects have been found.
12/05/09	Antigua: A farmhouse owned by foreigners was broken into and the owner lost $25,000 worth of belongings.
12/02/09	Guatemala City: While walking in a shopping center in Zone 4, an individual was accosted from behind and had the purse stolen.
November 2009
11/30/09	Guatemala City: A tourist had a travel bag stolen at Camino Real Hotel in Zone 10.
11/23/09	Guatemala City: While walking in Colonia Justo Rufino Barrios in Zone 21, a tourist was robbed by 4 armed men who piled out of a car onto the sidewalk.
11/22/09	Guatemala City: An individual’s car and passport stolen.
11/18/09	Guatemala City: A tourist was walking from Aurora Airport to the Mercado de Artesania in Zone 10 (Artisans’ Market) at 10:30 am when a vehicle stopped next to him on the road. He was robbed at gunpoint of his wallet and passport.
11/11/09	Pacific Highway, km 28: A tourist bus en route to San Marcos was shot by gunmen from a passing Nissan sedan resulting in 7 wounded, including the bus driver. Authorities believe the same assailants were responsible for shooting a Pullman bus Nov 10.
11/10/09	Zone 10, 12th avenue: A Pullman tourist bus was shot at by assailants before it was to pick up tourists en route to a hotel in zone 10. No injuries were reported.
11/10/09	Guatemala City: An individual’s vehicle and all belongings taken.
11/04/09	Flores, Petén: Seven armed men stopped a shuttle bus with foreigners, took the vehicle to a remote area and stole all valuables.
11/02/09	Puerto Barrios: A European tourist who arrived on a cruise ship was shot at a local cemetery tourist site when an attempted robbery was thwarted. The tourist subsequently died of his wounds. Two suspected assailants were arrested.
11/02/09	Petén: Four American tourists and three others were robbed by seven armed assailants near the village of El Caoba (km 37) en route to Flores near Tikal. No injuries reported.
October 2009
10/23/09	El Carmen border crossing: Two individuals were taken off a bus and robbed by unidentified individuals.
10/23/09	Sololá: A group of seven men armed with firearms boarded a shuttle bus and robbed individuals at gunpoint of their valuables.
10/22/09	Guatemala City: An individual was robbed at gunpoint by an armed man in front of her apartment.
10/17/09	Quetzaltenango: An individual was waiting in a dentist office when three armed men entered and robbed clients of their belongings
10/08/09	Guatemala City (near airport): An individual was followed from the airport to a Pollo Campero restaurant where her car was broken into.
10/08/09	San Cristóbal: An individual was car-jacked by armed men while waiting at a stop light.
10/06/09	Guatemala City (near airport): An individual who had recently arrived on an international flight hailed a taxi outside of the controlled airport area. The taxi driver took him to an unidentified part of the city where another man helped him beat and rob the traveler of his belongings.
10/03/09	Guatemala City, Zone 9: An individual’s backpack was stolen out of a parked car at Los Cebollines Restaurant.
September 2009
09/29/09	Antigua: An individual’s passport and wallet were stolen from their bag on a bus ride to Antigua.
09/27/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was slit and belongings stolen.
09/26/09	Guatemala City, Zone 1: An individual’s belongings were stolen from a parked car on the street.
09/22/09	Guatemala City: A couple’s house was broken into and their belongings stolen.
09/20/09	Antigua: Individual reports ATM fraud. Shortly after using her ATM card in the main square in Antigua she noticed that $1800 had been withdrawn from her account.
09/19/09	Monterrico: An individual’s rental car was broken into while in a hotel parking lot, radio stolen.
09/12/09	San Cristóbal: An individual’s belongings were stolen from a parked car on the street.
09/09/09	Guatemala City, Zone 1: An individual’s belongings were stolen from a parked car on the street.
09/07/09	Antigua: An individual’s belongings and car were stolen during a house break-in.
09/07/09	Guatemala City: individual’s belongings were stolen from a parked car in front of the family home.
09/02/09	Guatemala City: man was approached from behind by two men who demanded that he give up his wallet.
August 2009
08/30/09	Antigua: A woman’s passport was stolen from her purse.
08/30/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was slit and belongings stolen.
08/27/09	Villa Nueva: A couples’ passports were stolen from an unlocked car.
08/08/09	Sacatepéquez: An individual was tied up while several armed men robbed the family’s home.
08/04/09	Quetzaltenango: An individual was robbed at gun point by a group men.
08/03/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was stolen while eating in a restaurant.
08/01/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was slit and belongings stolen.
July 2009
07/31/09	Guatemala City: An individual was shot and killed in his home.
07/28/09	Guatemala City: A couple’s belongings were stolen out of their car while they were putting gas in their vehicle.
07/28/09	Guatemala City: An individual’s belongings were stolen from a car parked on the street.
07/25/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was slit and belongings stolen.
07/25/09	Guatemala City: An individual’s belongings were stolen from a car parked on the street.
07/25/09	Guatemala City, Zona 10: Three individuals were robbed at gunpoint while they were walking on the street.
07/25/09	Antigua: An individual was robbed of her valuables while eating at a restaurant.
07/25/09	Coban: Two tourists were robbed of valuables while eating at a fast food restaurant.
07/19/09	Acatenango Volcano, Chimaltenango: A group of armed gunmen, upwards of six, targeted a group of tourists to rob them of valuables. Armed escorts accompanying the tourists were shot during the attack.
07/18/09	Antigua: A woman’s billfold was stolen from her purse.
07/18/09	Volcan de Agua (Agua Volcano): A group of four men armed with machetes attacked a group of tourists as they were hiking the volcano.
07/11/09	Tecún Umán: An individual was assaulted and all of his belongings stolen while crossing the border.
07/07/09	Antigua: Two armed men on a motorcycle robbed an individual of her personal belongings.
07/06/09	Acatenango Volcano, Chimaltenango: Three armed men, whose faces were covered by ski masks, assaulted a group of individuals.
07/04/09	Guatemala City: A tourist was robbed of valuables while in La Aurora Airport.
07/04/09	Escuintla: An American citizen was assaulted and robbed of all of his possessions.
07/04/09	Chichicastenango: An American citizen was pick pocketed while in the market.
07/03/09	Antigua: An American citizen was robbed of valuables including cash by two armed individuals.
07/01/09	Mixco: A couple’s belongings were stolen while attending a party.
June 2009
06/20/09	Patulul, route to Atitlan through Cocales: AA group riding on a chartered school bus with a private driver was pulled over by armed six men. The bus was hijacked and driven to a remote location where valuables were stolen.
06/18/09	Guatemala City: Armed men followed and robbed a woman who had just pulled money out at a bank.
06/14/09	Antigua: A woman’s purse was slit and belongings were stolen.
06/11/09	Chimaltenango: A man’s belongings were stolen when someone broke into his car.
06/11/09	Quetzaltenango: Two men wielding knives robbed a woman as she walked through a public cemetery.
06/07/09	Chicacao, Suchitepequez: A group was riding in back of a pickup truck when six men in ski masks stopped the vehicle and stole their belongings.
06/07/09	Chichicastenango: A couple was pick pocketed while shopping in the market.
06/07/09	Santiago de Atitlan: A tourist group was robbed while hiking by individuals carrying machetes.
06/03/09	Guatemala City, Obelisco: A couple and their young kids were robbed by two armed men.
May 2009
05/28/09	Guatemala City: A couple was followed and robbed at gunpoint after withdrawing money at a bank.
05/28/09	Villa Nueva: A man’s car was stolen.
05/28/09	Antigua: A woman’s valuables were stolen from her hotel room.
05/21/09	San Lucas: An American citizen was robbed at knifepoint.
05/19/09	Chisec, Cobán: Five individuals were attacked by unknown assailants while they were driving. One of the individuals was shot and killed and another was hospitalized as a result of injuries sustained.
05/13/09	Guatemala City: An American citizen was attacked along with another individual as the two pulled up to a residence. The American citizen was physically assaulted and removed from his location by the assailants.
05/06/09	Guatemala City: A man was pick pocketed while eating in a Pollo Campero restaurant.
05/04/09	Santiago Atitlán, Sololá: Assailants fired shots at an individual’s home in an attempt to enter and burglarize the home.
05/01/09	Between Antigua and Panajachel: Belongings of man who fell asleep riding a chicken bus were stolen.
April 2009
04/30/09	Antigua: Two tourists were harassed by a man who robbed them of their valuables as they walked to their quarters at night.
04/29/09	Guatemala City, Zona 1: An individual was approached from behind and physically assaulted in an attempt to rob him of his valuables.
04/26/09	Carretera El Salvador: Robbers ransacked and stole valuables from a citizen’s recently wrecked vehicle on the side of the road.
04/26/09	Livingston, Izabal: Citizen was robbed of all of his valuables while his boat was anchored.
04/14/09	Guatemala City, Zona 12: An American citizen was shot and killed by an individual on a motorcycle while she and another passenger were driving in a vehicle.
04/12/09	Coban: The home of American citizens resident in Guatemala was broken into and robbed.
04/11/09	Mazatenango: Six armed men pulled over a vehicle and stole the belongings of all of the passengers.
04/09/09	Antigua: Two American citizens had their purses slashed and contents within stolen.
March 2009
03/30/09	Chiquimula: Robbers stole valuables from an individual while at a bus terminal.
03/24/09	Escuintla: An American citizen was attacked by an individual armed with a knife in an attempt to steal his laptop, backpack and other valuables.
03/24/09	Escuintla: An individual was robbed by three men brandishing weapons as she was picking up money that had been wired to her.
03/23/09	Quetzaltenango: Two individuals were attacked by two armed men who physically assaulted them and stole their belongings as they left a bank.
03/11/09	Teculután, Zacapa: A tourist was shot and killed by gunmen at a store.
03/07/09	Guatemala/Belize Border Crossing: An individual had valuables stolen while entering Guatemala from Belize.
03/06/09	Guatemala City: An American citizen had valuables stolen from his car.
03/02/09	Guatemala City: A tourist was robbed of valuables when the car in which they were located was stolen.
03/02/09	Guatemala City, Zona 10: An American citizen was hit by a motorcycle and robbed of valuables.
February 2009
02/27/09	Antigua: An individual was robbed at a convenience store by gunmen pretending to be the store owners.
02/27/09	Petén: A van carrying six tourists was pulled over by five men brandishing weapons including a gun and machetes. The tourists were robbed of all valuables.
02/23/09	Guatemala City, Zona 10: An American citizen was robbed at gunpoint of his laptop briefcase though no laptop was inside.
02/19/09	Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango: A private bus carrying 12 passengers including American citizens was boarded by at least five armed individuals. The passengers were kidnapped and robbed of valuables including cash and electronics.
02/15/09	Antigua: Two American citizens were robbed while walking through a market in Antigua.
02/11/09	Santa Rosa: A private bus carrying 11 passengers including American citizens was boarded by five armed individuals. The passengers were kidnapped and robbed of valuables including cash and electronics.
02/10/09	Guatemala City: An American citizen was robbed at gunpoint by two men after withdrawing money from a bank.
02/07/09	Antigua: An American citizen was cornered by two individuals in market who slit her purse and stole its contents.
02/03/09	San José Acatempa, Jutiapa: An American citizen was shot and killed as a result of a domestic dispute.
02/02/09	Guatemla City: An American citizen had her purse stolen.
January 2009
01/30/09	Guatemala City, Zona 9: A group of American citizens were robbed by five armed individuals.
01/30/09	Antigua: While on a bus from Antigua to Xela, valuables were stolen out of an individual’s bag.
01/29/09	Antigua: American citizen had valuables stolen from his car.
01/29/09	Guatemala City: An individual had her purse stolen while riding a bus.
01/29/09	Gualán, Zacapa: An individual was approached by two armed men while his vehicle was at a stop light. He was kidnapped and taken to an ATM.
01/27/09	Chichicastenango: An American citizen had his pocket picked while in the Chichicastenango market.
01/24/09	Panajachel: A tourist was robbed while riding a tuk-tuk.
01/23/09	Antigua: While on a bus from Antigua to Xela, valuables were stolen out of an individual’s bag.
01/18/09	Antigua: Two individuals were robbed at gunpoint while walking home from a bar.
01/17/09	Guatemala City: Two American citizens had valuables stolen while riding a bus.
01/16/09	Guatemala City, Zona 10: An adult male was approached by two individuals on a motorcycle while driving his vehicle. The individuals attempted to rob him of his cellular phone and shot at his vehicle when he did not turn it over.
01/16/09	Quetzaltenango: A female American citizen was robbed at gunpoint.
01/16/09	Chimaltenango: Two adult male American citizens had their pockets picked while on a bus.
01/07/09	Guatemala City: Three individuals were robbed of valuables including cash while riding on a bus by an individual claiming to be the bus driver’s assistant.
01/05/09	Atitlán: An American citizen adult male resident in Guatemala was shot at by three men after he refused to stop his pickup truck.
01/05/09	Escuintla: An American citizen female was robbed while riding on a bus from La Gomera to Siquinala.
01/02/09	Flores, Petén: Two American citizens were robbed at gunpoint while they were in a taxi outside of the Santa Elena airport.
01/01/09	Guatemala City: Three individuals were walking to their car when an unknown individual approached them and stole the purse of one of the individuals.
View Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners during 2008

Embassy of the United States

Crime and Public Safety

Recent Crime Incidents Involving Foreigners