Two Alleged Mara Salvatrucha Members Arrested, Arsenal Seized in Guatemala (Translated from Spanish: Caen dos presuntos integrantes de la Mara Salvatrucha; decomisan arsenal en Guatemala)

Guatemalan authorities have apprehended two suspected members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang during an operation in Cuilapa, Santa Rosa. The raid, a joint effort by the National Division Against Gang Criminal Development (Dipanda) and the Public Ministry, also resulted in the seizure of a significant arsenal and vehicles believed to be connected to illicit activities.

The arrested individuals were identified as Alexis Emanuel Lemus Pineda, 19, known as "Seco," and Oseas de Jesús Salvador Parada, 34, also called "Chuz" or "Chusito." Police noted that Parada has a prior prison record from 2011 for murder. The operation took place in the village of San Juan Arana.

During the search, investigators discovered five Glock pistols, an IWI Masada pistol, a rifle, a submachine gun, 11 magazines, over 300 rounds of ammunition, four bulletproof vests, seven cell phones, and four vehicle license plates. An AK-47 rifle was found inside a red Hyundai car, which had been reported stolen on April 4 in Villa Nueva. The plates on the vehicle did not match its registration. A machete was also found in a beige Nissan van.