Mayor Nelson Marroquin was killed by gunmen at a Christmas parade in Guatemala, a country battling high gang violence and prison escapes

GUATEMALA CITY: A small-town mayor was shot dead by gunmen while participating in a Christmas parade.

Nelson Marroquin, 38, was killed on Saturday in the town of Obero, located 70 kilometres east of Guatemala City.One of his bodyguards was wounded in the attack, officials confirmed on Sunday.

The National Association of Municipalities confirmed the details of the killing.

President Bernardo Arevalo condemned the attack and has ordered an investigation.Guatemala, like much of Central America, is struggling with an epidemic of gang violence.

The country’s homicide rate stands at 17.7 per 100,000 people, which is double the world average.

In October, 20 members of the notorious Barrio 18 gang escaped from prison, creating a major crisis for Arevalo’s government.

The administration, which took power in January 2024, has so far recaptured only four of the fugitives.

Following the jailbreak, President Arevalo replaced his interior minister.

Last month, Guatemala’s government announced the United States would send an FBI team to help capture the escaped gang members.

The Barrio 18 gang has been designated a “foreign terrorist organization” by the United States. – AFP