The criminal insurgency, a challenge to National Security for Guatemala

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the security situation in Guatemala, after years of internal armed confrontation in the country, and the signing of Peace Agreements, produces a debate regarding the need to update procedures, means and capabilities of the Security Forces Public and Armed Forces, to adapt to the new criminal threats of emerging criminal gangs in increasingly extensive territorial spaces, which poses new challenges to the Security of the Nation. METHOD: mixed research approach, developed through bibliographic analysis of different authors regarding this topic, as well as individual interviews and surveys with personnel from different Guatemalan institutions belonging to the National Security Systems and Intelligence, and independent analysts, experts on the subject of criminal insurgency and its impact on the Security of the Nation. RESULTS: the main finding detected consists of the complex process of transformation from organized crime to a criminal insurgency, and how this new challenge must be addressed and minimized as soon as possible. CONCLUSION: it is necessary to counteract this new series of criminal actions that are affecting Guatemala, and whose effect can also threaten the Security of the Nation of El Salvador and Honduras, this requires the implementation of effective criminological policies, which equally involve the security forces, police and military, and other governmental, non-governmental institutions and private initiatives, with the aim of achieving and maintaining true National Security for the country.