76 murders in Guatemala

There have been "at least" 76 murders in Guatemala in the first eight days since the inauguration of the country's new president. One was a police officer. Of the 76, 69 were by use of firearm; twenty other persons have been wounded, also by firearm.
Security forces have begun "high impact" operations in the more troubled portions of the capital city.According to the "Ministry of Government", the majority of these crimes are due to "narcotraffic", to wars between gangs and to their "settling of debts." Guatemala has one police officer for each 650 residents. Last year's murder tally reached 5,781 victims.