United News of Bangladesh

The death toll from coordinated attacks by suspected gang members on Guatemalan police rose to nine on Monday, prompting President Bernardo Arévalo to impose a 30-day state of emergency that curtails several civil rights and expands security powers. National Civil Police Director David Custodio Boteo said a ninth officer died early Monday from injuries sustained in the attacks, while several others remain in critical condition. Some officers also suffered amputations. The violence erupted over the weekend after inmates seized control of three prisons in apparently coordinated riots, taking 43 guards hostage. Authorities said the gangs were demanding privileges for their members and leaders. Shortly after police regained control of one prison on Sunday morning, suspected gang members launched a wave of attacks against police across the capital. On Monday, police honored the fallen officers in a ceremony at the Interior Ministry, where flag-draped coffins were displayed. President Arévalo said the nation would not forget the sacrifice of the officers who died in the line of duty. The government gazette published the emergency decree on Monday, citing “coordinated actions by self-named maras or gangs against state security forces, including armed attacks against civilian authorities.” Under the emergency measures, authorities have limited freedom of movement and demonstrations. Police are also allowed to detain suspected gang members without a judicial order and may restrict or search vehicles in designated areas. The unicameral Congress approved the state of emergency with minor changes on Monday night by a vote of 149 to 1, with 10 lawmakers absent or on approved leave. The decree, however, took effect on Sunday. Traffic in Guatemala City was lighter than usual on Monday as residents stayed indoors amid heightened security. Schools were suspended nationwide as a precaution. The US Embassy in Guatemala condemned the attacks on police and reaffirmed its support for Guatemala’s security forces. It had earlier instructed US government personnel to shelter in place on Sunday before later lifting the order and advising continued caution. In October, Guatemala’s Congress amended the law to designate members of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs as terrorists, increasing prison sentences for gang-related crimes. The United States also designated the two groups as foreign terrorist organizations last year.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to Guatemala, resident in Mexico, Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey has presented his credentials to Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala Mo nica Bolan os Pe rez and called for stronger bilateral ties with Guatemala. During their meeting on Tuesday, both sides underscored the importance of deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation. Vice Minister Bolan os Pe rez commended Bangladesh’s notable contributions to United Nations peacekeeping operations.  Ambassador Mushfique proposed facilitating a visit by a Guatemalan business delegation to Bangladesh to explore new opportunities for collaboration, said the Embassy on Wednesday.  Bangladesh condemns Israeli military aggression against Qatar He also highlighted Bangladesh’s competitive export sectors, particularly ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, leather, and jute goods. On the sidelines, Ambassador Mushfique met with Director General Lynsay Herna ndez, where he reaffirmed Bangladesh’s full commitment to advancing bilateral ties.  

Hundreds of protesters broke into Guatemala’s Congress and burned part of the building Saturday amid growing demonstrations against President Alejandro Giammattei and the legislature for approving a controversial budget that cut educational and health spending.

Forty-four Guatemalans deported on one flight from the United States this week have tested positive for COVID-19, a Guatemalan government official with knowledge of the situation said, amid rising rejection of deportees due to virus fears.

Hundreds of Central American migrants stranded in Guatemala on Wednesday were weighing limited options as to how to make it into Mexico, guarded by troops with riot shields and immigration agents.

The U.S. government says it will deport a Honduran mother and her two sick children, both of whom are currently hospitalized, to Guatemala as soon as it can get them medically cleared to travel, according to court documents and the family's advocates.

Guatemalan police accompanied by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents swept up the majority of a group of some 300 migrants Thursday, loaded them on buses and took them back to the Honduran border, effectively dashing their plans to travel together in a "caravan" with hopes of reaching the United States.

Guatemala swore in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician opposed to gay marriage and abortion, as its new president Tuesday while the country's outgoing leader exited amid swirling corruption accusations.

With dances and fireworks, indigenous residents of a town in the Guatemalan highlands on Saturday came to the end of a festival celebrating their patron saint, Thomas the apostle.

A trailer truck collided with a passenger bus in eastern Guatemala early Saturday, killing at least 20 people and leaving a dozen wounded, according to the national disaster agency. It said nine of the dead were minors.