The repudiated President of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei survives an attack, perpetrators could be indigenous Mayans
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei Survives Gunshot Attack
According to local media, the presidential entourage came under fire but the head of state emerged unscathed in the northwestern region of Huehuetenango.
Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei was uninjured following a shooting attack by unknown assailants Saturday, according to Guatemalan radio station Sonora es la Noticia.
Preliminary reports indicate multiple people on the scene suffered injuries, but Giammattei was not among them.
The shooting is said to have happened as Giammattei and his Minister of Agriculture José Ángel López took part in an event aimed at encouraging small farmers and local entrepreneurs to market their wares.
The Aztec News Guatemala reported shots rang out once members of the Guatemalan Army attempted to detain a suspicious vehicle. The outlet clarified, however, that the "the incident did not occur near the event.”
The outlet further noted Giammattei “was evacuated from the scene by his security team” in the aftermath.
#Ahora | Durante el operativo perimetral en la gira del Presidente Giammattei en la aldea La Laguna en Jacaltenango, Huehuetenango, elementos del Ejército de Guatemala le marcan el alto a un vehículo, sus tripulantes abrieron fuego contra los soldados. pic.twitter.com/xO7m8vZoWz
— Azteca Noticias GT (@AztecaNoticiaGT) July 30, 2022
Service members reportedly injured one of the attackers in a subsequent shootout and three other culprits–all of Guatemalan nationality–were apprehended by Mexican authorities after attempting to flee to Guatemala’s northern neighbor.
The presidency has yet to comment on the alleged assassination attempt, but a journalist with a state news agency accompanying the presidential delegation told EFE the group is now returning to Guatemala City.
The identity and possible motives of the perpetrators remains unknown at this time.
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