Guatemala City: Three police officers were killed Friday in an armed attack on a lawmaker in Guatemala, who escaped unharmed.
Congressman Julio Portillo was in the town of Rio Hondo, in Zacapa, an eastern department known to have drug trafficking activity, when the attack occurred, local firefighting official Byron Vasquez told reporters.
The Interior Ministry confirmed the three victims were agents of the National Civil Police, who thwarted the "direct attack against the lawmaker."
The suspects escaped and were not identified.
The Lorenzana family cartel controls the drug trade in Zacapa, and is linked to Mexico's Sinaloa cartel.
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 Guatemela's elections next year.
