Guatemalan lawmaker, three police officers killed in attack

Close-up of forensic science evidence box containing gun from crime scene. [AFP]

A Guatemalan lawmaker and three police officers were killed in an armed attack on Friday, authorities said.

The attack targeted Congressman Julio Portillo, who was in the town of Rio Hondo, in the eastern Zacapa department known to have drug trafficking activity.

"President Luis Contreras, members of the Board of Directors and lawmakers mourn the tragic passing of Congressman Julio Cesar Portillo Paz, representative of the Zacapa district," Guatemala's Congress posted late Friday on X.

A fire service official had told reporters earlier Friday that Portillo had escaped unharmed.

Three police officers were killed in the "direct attack against the lawmaker," the interior ministry said.

The suspects escaped and were not identified.

The Lorenzana family cartel, which has links to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel, controls the drug trade in Zacapa.

Portillo won his seat in 2023 for the opposition party Cabal, but has since switched to the National Unity of Hope party led by former first lady Sandra Torres.

She is expected to run for president in Guatemala's elections next year.