A military convoy set out before dawn to destroy opium poppies in the Guatemala-Mexico border mountains. The search revealed a drastic decline in poppy cultivation due to plummeting opium prices and the rise of fentanyl as a cheaper and more easily produced alternative. This shift has led to economic hardship for poppy farmers and raised concerns about Guatemala becoming a hub for fentanyl production. While the US continues to support eradication efforts, the focus has shifted to combating synthetic drugs and precursor chemicals. The decline in poppy cultivation has also impacted the heroin trade, with fentanyl seizures increasing significantly. Despite ongoing eradication efforts, tensions persist as villagers feel the impact of diminishing poppy demand and eradication programs. Guatemala's role in the cocaine trade and the potential for fentanyl precursor smuggling further complicate the situation. The article highlights the complex challenges and shifting dynamics in the region's drug trade.