Guatemala City: A military spokesman said that nine members of a family, including a baby and a young girl, were shot to death in a remote part of northern Guatemala.
Army spokesman Ismael Cifuentes said that a military helicopter and at least 90 soldiers were heading to the jungle region, which is difficult to reach.
According to Cifuentes, neighbours said the killings took place when two SUVs carrying armed men arrived at the family's house. The gunmen opened fire on the family.
He said that eight people died at the site and a ninth succumbed after being taken to a hospital. Among the dead were a five-year-old girl and a three-month-old.
Authorities did not provide a motive, but Guatemalan government maps show Mexico's Zetas drug cartel operating in the region.
