President Bernardo Arevalo ordered the “Plan Sentinel” operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS‑13 gangs on urban areas.

Gangs were blamed for a series of January attacks that left 11 officers dead, rocked the government, and prompted a month-long state of emergency, which has now ended.

Troops rode on armoured personnel carriers mounted with heavy-calibre machine guns, ready to sweep through northern neighbourhoods long controlled by gangs.

It was not immediately clear how many troops were involved.

Arevalo wants to prove to Guatemalans that his centre-left government is just as capable of tackling violence and extortion as regional right-wing leaders – and without the rights abuses.

Speaking to troops, Arevalo said operations would widen to areas of the Guatemala department, where the capital city is located.

Defence minister Henry Saenz said forces will carry out “high-impact operations” in areas where crime is most entrenched, driven by Barrio 18 and MS‑13, both labelled “terrorist” groups by Guatemala and the US.

Arevalo said the one-month state of emergency delivered “resounding” results, including a 50% drop in homicides and a 33% fall in extortion compared with the same period last year.

The state of emergency followed coordinated killings by Barrio 18 after authorities sought to retake three prisons under the gang’s control.

Members seized hostages to demand better conditions or transfers to lower‑security jails.

Arevalo has also blamed the violence on what he calls a plot by criminals and politicians seeking to destabilise his government as he pushes reforms to Guatemala’s corruption-hit justice system.