Guatemala City, July 28 (IANS/EFE) Three police officers and a woman were killed by gunmen inside a restaurant in Guatemala, an official spokesman said.

The gunmen opened fire at the officers Tuesday in La Democracia town in the western province of Huehuetenango, killing three policemen and a woman, who owned the restaurant, a spokesman for the Guatemalan National Civilian Police (PNC) said.

La Democracia, located 280 km west of Guatemala City, has been virtually taken over by Mexican drug traffickers in recent months.

Guatemalan authorities acknowledge that Huehuetenango is frequented by drug traffickers from neighbouring Mexico, notably members of Los Zetas, a band of army deserters who initially worked as enforcers for the Gulf drug cartel but are now operating on their own.

–IANS/EFE

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