The Guatemalan government declared the area surrounding Izabal Lake, the country's largest, a “public catastrophe zone” as a result of the massive spread of a strange plant that is affecting fishing and water navigation. The plague, which the local Guatemalan communities have dubbed the “extraterrestrial plant”, has extended throughout the lake, located 140 km northwest of Guatemala City, and is so far immune to all attempts to eradicate it.

The Hydrilla verticillata species, whose roots can grow to seven meters in fresh water, first appeared in April in Dulce River, which flows into Izabal Lake.

Scientists are attempting to prevent it from covering the entire lake surface — 700 square km — while local authorities are considering blocking off the area and restricting lake traffic.

The governor of Izabal department, María del Carmen Fajardo, said she “would not support” the use of chemicals to fight the plant plague because the substances would likely cause further biological imbalance.