Guatemalan judge clears deputy minister, three leaders of terrorism charges

What the report says

A Guatemalan court has thrown out terrorism and related charges against Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three other Indigenous leaders, ending a case tied to protests in October 2023 against former Attorney General Consuelo Porras. The ruling was issued by Judge Mynor Moto in Guatemala City after prosecutors themselves asked for the case to be dismissed, saying their investigation found no laws had been broken in the organizing of the demonstrations.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, Pacheco previously led the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, an Indigenous authority in Guatemala’s western highlands. The other defendants were Hector Chaclan, Basilio Puac and Esteban Toc, all linked to Indigenous leadership structures. Prosecutors had accused them of illicit association, terrorism and obstructing justice, with two of them also facing sedition allegations. The charges stemmed from protests that demanded Porras resign after she was accused of trying to block Bernardo Arevalo from taking office.

The decision marks another setback for cases launched under Porras, who has faced international sanctions and criticism over corruption allegations and efforts seen as undermining Arevalo’s 2023 election victory. Pacheco had been suspended during the proceedings, and his ministry said it expected him back at work soon. The UN human rights office said the outcome supports freedoms of expression and assembly and reflects the legitimate role of Indigenous organizing, while noting broader concerns about criminal cases against Indigenous leaders in Guatemala.