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Latin America and the Caribbean are facing increasingly complex security challenges, and some countries are responding with policies that risk undermining human rights and the rule of law. Against this backdrop, on June 5, 2025, the Inter-American Dialogue hosted Guatemala’s Vice Minister for the Prevention of Violence and Crime, Mayda de León, for a discussion with policymakers, civil society, private sector representatives, and experts on the security strategy of President Bernardo Arévalo’s government. The discussion examined Guatemala’s efforts to address violence, extortion, and organized crime through a security policy consistent with the rule of law and with a strong focus on prevention.
Rebecca Bill Chávez, president and CEO of the Dialogue, opened the event by emphasizing that President Arévalo has made security a central pillar of his agenda since his electoral campaign, highlighting its close connection to development, migration, and democratic governance. Chávez underscored that Guatemala’s security policy is centered on strengthening the institutional capacity of the police and armed forces, while also prioritizing crime prevention through social programs, education, and prison reform.
Vice Minister De León highlighted the principal security challenges facing the Arévalo administration. She pointed to the rise in extortion, one of citizens’ greatest concerns, as well as the reconfiguration of gangs such as MS-13 and Barrio 18, where internal leadership disputes have led to the killings of gang leaders and members of their families. She also pointed to the lack of effective control in prisons, where some of the country’s most influential criminal structures operate, and of the slow pace of reintegration processes. De León noted that the measures adopted by the government of El Salvador are creating regional pressure and shaping expectations within Guatemala. She also stressed that public perceptions, influenced by misinformation on social media, do not always reflect conditions on the ground, making effective government communication essential to rebuilding public trust and countering increasingly punitive narratives.
Regarding the administration’s main strategies and initiatives, De León emphasized the importance of incorporating the management of public perceptions, prevention initiatives, human rights, and the strengthening of democratic institutions into security policy. Among the examples she highlighted was a pilot program aimed at reestablishing state authority in key detention facilities, including Renovación 1, through the appropriate use of scanning and surveillance technologies; programs designed to prevent children and adolescents from being recruited into gangs; and efforts to increase the presence of the state in historically marginalized areas. She also discussed the restructuring of the police inspector general’s office and efforts to encourage citizens to report abuses. At the broader institutional level, an anti-corruption commission is responsible for oversight and helping ensure accountability.
During the question-and-answer session, participants addressed several key issues, including the role of the armed forces in public security, the use of technology for prevention and response, the importance of regional cooperation, and collaboration with civil society and academia.
