Trending Now - Guatemala Refutes Claims of US Agreement on Drug Strikes

WHO:

ABC News - Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo

ABC News - U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

ABC News - Acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez

WHAT:

ABC News - President Arévalo denied the existence of an agreement with the United States for anti-drug trafficking operations in Guatemala.

ABC News - Arévalo stated, “There is no agreement. There is a request that falls within the framework of existing agreements in several countries.”

ABC News - The Guatemalan government published a press release and two letters discussing combined military operations under pre-existing agreements.

WHERE:

ABC News - Guatemala City, Guatemala

ABC News - Operations discussed involve Guatemalan soil and maritime interdictions.

WHY:

ABC News - The situation reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Latin American governments regarding drug trafficking cooperation and sovereignty.

ABC News - Arévalo emphasized that the government’s actions are in accordance with Guatemalan law and the Constitution.

HOW:

ABC News - Arévalo mentioned that the U.S. has been collaborating with Guatemala through training, capacity building, and equipment for maritime interdictions.

ABC News - The only body that can authorize operations involving soldiers on Guatemalan soil is the Congress of the Republic, according to Arévalo.

(UPDATED May 29, 2026 16:16 UTC)

In a recent statement, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo denied any agreement with the United States regarding anti-drug trafficking operations in Guatemala, clarifying that there is only a request aligned with existing agreements in other countries. He emphasized that all actions taken by his government are in accordance with Guatemalan law and the Constitution, noting that only the Congress of the Republic can authorize military operations on Guatemalan soil. The discussion also highlighted ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Latin American governments concerning drug trafficking cooperation and sovereignty.