Organized crime weaves a new maritime trafficking network between Mexico and Guatemala

Since the start of 2026, at least eight vessels have been detected on the maritime bridge between Guatemala and Chiapas, Mexico, leading to dozens of arrests and several tons of cocaine seized. On January 2, 2026, Colombian President Gustavo Petro accused U.S. troops of attacking and sinking an alleged narco-speedboat on the border between Chiapas and Oaxaca, saying three people died and some survivors jumped into the sea. After Petro’s statements, authorities remained silent while seizures continued as criminal groups increased maritime activity to avoid land-based visibility. Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG have maintained maritime trafficking routes for decades that Mexico is trying to reclaim. The Mexican Secretariat of the Navy reported a seizure in Chiapas bay of Paredon near Oaxaca, seizing 50 cocaine packages and more than 60 50-liter gasoline jerry cans, in the same maritime area Petro referenced. Guatemalan anti-narcotics police launched a major operation in Puerto Que on January 25 around 7 p.m.

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