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Only a week after declaring a state of siege, Guatemala has made definitive moves to counter inroads the Mexican criminal gang Los Zetas has made into Guatemala, according to Mexican and English language news accounts.
The declaration, made last Sunday and limited to the Alta Verapaz department, is to last for 30 days and includes provisions for arrest and detention of suspects for crimes considered to endanger the state. The legal move could be expanded to four other departments bordering Mexico.
The declaration was endorsed by the Guatemalan national legislature December 22nd.
Guatemala president Alvaro Colom's latest move has been to transfer 335 police officers out of the department as a preventative measure to stop leaks to Los Zetas of information relating to government measures against them.
Since the declaration a total of 22 suspects reports say are members of Los Zetas have been detained in several operations.
The latest arrest was of four suspects, three Guatemalans and one Mexican in the Izabal department following a shootout. Arrested were Guatemalans Marvin Perez, 23, Rigoberto Toralla, 39 and José Carlos Morales, and Mexican José Luis Hernandez RenterÃa, 18. Assault rifles, ammunition and cell phones were seized as well.
Reports also say since last Sunday, Guatemalan security forces have arrested 18 individuals and have seized a total of 18,600 rounds of ammunition, 150 firearms including assault rifles, pistols and grenade launchers, five light aircraft, 28 vehicles, several armored vehicles, and more than $62,000 in cash.
Reports say former Guatemalan military José Armando Leon was also arrested in the sweeps. Armando Leon is considered a Los Zetas leader. 
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