In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Guatemala, tragedy deepened when five men were lynched by residents of Santa María de Jesús, an Indigenous Mayan community southwest of the capital. Locals accused the men of looting homes left vulnerable after Tuesday’s 5.7 magnitude tremors, which forced many to sleep in shelters or with relatives.

According to police spokesperson César Mateo, residents took justice into their own hands, beating the accused with sticks and stones before burning them in public. Authorities who attempted to intervene were blocked by the angry crowd.

Santa María de Jesús was among the hardest-hit areas, left without electricity and with roads cut off by landslides. The government has been delivering humanitarian aid, including solar lamps, blankets, mosquito nets, and kitchen kits, with support from the UNHCR.

Vigilante justice remains a persistent issue in Guatemala, particularly in rural regions where faith in the judicial system is low. From 2008 to 2020, more than 350 people were killed and nearly 1,400 injured in acts of mob violence. This latest tragedy underscores not only the impact of natural disasters but also the deep-rooted social challenges facing the country.