Guatemala is stepping up its military presence at the Mexican border in response to escalating cartel violence. President Bernardo Arévalo says the new operation, dubbed "Ring of Fire," is meant to protect Guatemalans from the growing threat of transnational crime.
Violence has been spilling over from southern Mexico's Chiapas state, where the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have been fighting for control. Thousands of people have already fled across the border, adding to Guatemala's security concerns.
