Briefly: Americas

GUATEMALA

Massacre work of Mexico drug gang Zetas

GUATEMALA CITY | The Guatemalan government Monday blamed the Mexican drug gang, the Zetas, for a massacre of 29 ranch workers in a rural province near the Mexican border.

Interior Minister Carlos Menocal said the style and manner of the killings implicates the Mexican-based gang, which has been fighting local drug gangs for territory in northern Guatemala.

Most of the 29 bodies were decapitated. A message in blood on a wall said the killers were after ranch owner Otto Salguero.

Mr. Menocal said Monday that authorities are investigating Mr. Salguero, whose whereabouts is unknown.

HAITI

Martelly wants business leader as prime minister

PORT-AU-PRINCE | Haiti’s new president wants a business leader to serve as his prime minister.

President Michel Martelly said he intends to nominate Daniel-Gerard Rouzier to be the country’s No. 2 official.

Mr. Martelly, a charismatic pop star known as “Sweet Micky,” was sworn in Saturday in back-to-back ceremonies at a makeshift Parliament and on the lawn of the National Palace, which collapsed in last year’s crippling earthquake.

Parliament still must ratify Mr. Rouzier’s appointment.

CANADA

Wildfire forces whole town to evacuate

SLAVE LAKE, ALBERTA | Wildfires blazing through a northern Canadian town have forced the evacuation of nearly 7,000 people.

Story Continues →