Guatemala to Transition from Strict State of Siege to Less Restrictive State of Prevention

The 30-day state of siege imposed to curb gang violence will end on Monday and be replaced by a less restrictive state of prevention.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The government of Guatemala will be transitioning from a strict 30-day state of siege, implemented to curb gang violence, to a less restrictive state of prevention starting on Monday. The state of siege, which is set to expire, will be replaced by this new security measure aimed at continuing efforts to address the country's ongoing issues with criminal activity.

Why it matters

The state of siege granted the government expanded powers to restrict civil liberties and increase security operations, which drew some criticism from human rights groups. The transition to a state of prevention signals a shift towards a less heavy-handed approach, though the government will still maintain enhanced security measures to combat gang violence.

The details

The state of siege was first declared on January 16th and granted the government broad powers to make arrests, restrict movement, and conduct searches without warrants. This strict security measure was implemented in response to a surge in gang-related violence and killings. As the 30-day state of siege comes to an end on February 16th, the government will be replacing it with a state of prevention, which will maintain an increased security presence but with less severe restrictions on civil liberties.

  • The state of siege was first declared on January 16, 2026.
  • The state of siege is set to expire on February 16, 2026.
  • The new state of prevention will go into effect on February 17, 2026.

The players

Government of Guatemala

The government of Guatemala, led by the current administration, imposed the state of siege and is now transitioning to a state of prevention in response to ongoing gang violence.

Human Rights Groups

Some human rights organizations have criticized the government's use of the strict state of siege, citing concerns over the expansion of state power and potential violations of civil liberties.

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The takeaway

The Guatemalan government's decision to move from a state of siege to a state of prevention reflects a balance between maintaining security and addressing concerns over civil liberties. This shift in approach will be closely watched by both the public and human rights organizations as the country continues to grapple with the challenge of gang violence.