Guatemala denies US strike agreement, seeks security aid

The Guatemalan government has formally denied reports that it agreed to allow the United States to conduct military strikes against drug traffickers on its soil, while confirming it has requested security cooperation from Washington. The denial came in an official statement on Thursday, which asserted that no agreement exists authorizing foreign military operations within national territory.

The statement appears to be a direct response to a report published earlier that day citing unnamed sources who said President Bernardo Arévalo had approved such U.S. military action. The government clarified its position by releasing a note from a letter dated May 28 from Guatemalan Defense Minister Henry Saenz to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In the note, Saenz wrote that Guatemala desires to lead, with U.S. assistance, active military operations against drug groups designated as terrorist organizations by Washington.

Officials stressed that this request for assistance falls within the framework of existing bilateral agreements and adheres to Guatemalan law. They characterized the proposed cooperation as partner-led operations aimed at combating drug trafficking organizations, not...