27 bodies found at Guatemalan farm

At least 27 bodies have been found in Guatemala at a farm in the northern region of Peten, an army spokesman said. Among the victims were two women and 25 men, the army spokesman said. Peten is the northernmost part of Guatemala, which borders Mexico. The spokesman declined to say what might be behind the killings, but did not rule out the possibility they could be related to drug trafficking, the (CNN) reported Monday. He said the military is assisting police in the investigation. Guatemala has seen a significant spike in drug violence, including clashes between authorities and members of the Zetas drug cartel, Guatemalan Interior Minister Carlos Menocal told the CNN. In December, the government declared a state of siege and sent hundred of troops to Alta Verapaz where officials said the Mexican drug gang is overtaking towns and threatening residents. Alta Verapaz is the region directly south of Peten. More than 200,000 people have been killed in Guatemala since 1970, mostly as a result of organized crime, drug-trade violence and a 36-year civil war that ended in 1996.