Motorcycles remain the most stolen vehicles in Guatemala, according to CIEN

CIEN reported that motorcycle theft remains one of Guatemala's most common property crimes, with hundreds of cases recorded during May 2026. Although the latest figures show a slight improvement compared to the previous year, motorcycles continue to be the vehicle most vulnerable to theft in the country.

Guatemala recorded 389 motorcycle theft reports in May

According to data from the Centro de Investigaciones Económicas Nacionales (CIEN), cited by La Red, authorities received 389 motorcycle theft complaints during May 2026.

The figure represents an average of 12.55 thefts per day, meaning that approximately one motorcycle was reported stolen every two hours throughout the month.

Despite the high number of incidents, the report shows a modest year-over-year improvement. During May 2025, authorities registered 412 motorcycle theft complaints, indicating a reduction in reported cases compared with the same period this year.

Theft rate continues to decline, but motorcycles remain the primary target

CIEN's analysis indicates that the motorcycle theft rate reached 24.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, continuing a downward trend from the levels of nearly 27 cases per 100,000 inhabitants observed during much of 2024 and 2025.

Even with this gradual decline, the organization noted that motorcycles continue to face the highest risk of theft among all vehicle types in Guatemala.

Motorcycles remain more vulnerable than cars

The report explains that motorcycles are stolen far more frequently than automobiles.

According to the analysis, several factors contribute to this trend, including the growing number of motorcycles on Guatemalan roads, the relative ease with which they can be stolen, and the illegal market for reselling motorcycles or their individual parts.

Although the latest statistics point to a year-over-year decrease in reported thefts, the findings highlight that motorcycle theft remains one of the country's most significant challenges in terms of public security and the protection of citizens' property.