Indigenous Activist Arrested in Guatemala After Demanding Resignation of Prosecutor in 2023
In the heart of 2023, Guatemala witnessed a wave of public protests, spearheaded by indigenous leaders and human rights activists, calling for the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras. The demonstrations were sparked by allegations of corruption, obstructing justice, and politically motivated actions against opposition figures and indigenous activists.
At the forefront of the protests was Luis Pacheco, a Maya leader and former leader of the influential Indigenous group 28 Cantones de Totonicapán. Pacheco, who had been organizing demonstrations against Porras following the 2023 presidential election, found himself detained under Porras' administration.
The UN, OAS, and international organizations have criticized the accusations against Pacheco, whom they view as a key figure in Guatemala's indigenous rights movement.
Another indigenous leader, Leocadio Juracán, was also arrested during this period. Juracán, a former deputy from 2016 to 2020, led protests for the resignation of Porras. His arrest, which took place at the capital's airport, was ordered by the prosecution. Héctor Chaclán, another indigenous leader, was arrested alongside Pacheco.
The Prosecutor's Office has not commented on these cases, and Porras has remained silent on the accusations against Pacheco and Chaclán. It is alleged that Juracán was accused of aggravated usurpation and provoking forest fires, charges that have not been publicly confirmed.
Juracán's arrest marked a third high-profile detention of a promoter of the 2023 protests. Many of these individuals have fled into exile due to Porras' actions.
President Arévalo, who won the 2023 election, has been vocal in his criticism of Porras. Despite not having the power to dismiss Porras directly, Arévalo is seeking legal measures to remove her from office. Porras' term is set to end in May 2026.
The arrest of Juracán is alleged to be fabricated, adding fuel to the fire of criticism against Porras. The attorney general has been accused of opening numerous cases against prosecutors, judges, independent lawyers, and journalists since 2021, raising concerns about the integrity of Guatemala's justice system.
The political turmoil surrounding Porras and the repression of indigenous activism have drawn international attention to Guatemala, with many calling for a return to democratic progress and the rule of law.
- The international community, including the UN and OAS, have criticized the allegations against indigenous leaders Luis Pacheco, Leocadio Juracán, and Héctor Chaclán, viewing them as crucial figures in Guatemala's indigenous rights movement.
- The wave of public protests in Guatemala, led by indigenous leaders and human rights activists, is not limited to domestic politics but has drawn attention from international organizations, with many calling for a return to democratic progress and the rule of law.
- In the midst of war-and-conflicts, such as the allegations of corruption and politically motivated actions against opposition figures and indigenous activists, the casino-and-gambling industry, policy-and-legislation, and crime-and-justice sectors remain areas of interest, given the arrests of prominent figures like Pacheco, Juracán, and Chaclán.
- General news outlets have reported on the arrests of Juracán, Pacheco, and Chaclán, raising concerns about the integrity of Guatemala's justice system, and incidents such as these accidents could potentially exacerbate the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
