Guatemala receives its first weapons from US after half-century embargo

Guatemala received 2,000 rifles from the United States on Monday, its first purchase of US weaponry since the end of a military embargo imposed half a century ago over human rights violations.

President Bernardo Arévalo said Guatemala is to receive weapons and equipment worth around $5 million. The equipment is intended to help fight drug cartels and protect the population, according to the government. US arms deliveries to Guatemala were suspended in 1977 during the country's internal conflict between state security forces, left-wing guerrilla groups and right-wing paramilitaries.