Guatemalan authorities dismantle clandestine gang surveillance system in Chimaltenango

Police in Guatemala have dismantled a clandestine video surveillance network installed by the Mara Salvatrucha gang in Chimaltenango, a move aimed at disrupting criminal operations and enhancing community security. Five video surveillance devices were removed from the San Pablo neighborhood in zone 3 of Chimaltenango during an operation by the National Civil Police (PNC).

According to PNC investigators, the cameras were strategically placed to monitor access points to the area. This allowed gang members to receive early warnings about the presence of security forces, facilitating their illicit activities and maintaining control over the territory. The operation is part of broader efforts to dismantle the surveillance mechanisms used by gangs to monitor communities and strengthen neighborhood safety.

While the PNC reported the removal of the cameras, they did not provide details on whether a central control hub for the system was found or if any arrests were made in connection with its installation. Investigations are ongoing to identify those who financed and set up the surveillance system. Similar operations have been conducted in the capital in recent weeks, where police have removed various surveillance systems used by gangs to track police movements and coordinate illegal activities.