The delay in the hearings against former indigenous leaders is causing outrage in Guatemala and is the subject of denunciations by various national and international organizations.

Among these organizations Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, members of the 48 Cantons of the department of Totonicapán, who have been imprisoned for four months, according to a press conference outside the capital’s Supreme Court.

The Alliance for Reforms, a civil coalition that brings together more than 30 organizations, and the Women’s Association Alas de Mariposa (Butterfly Wings), expressed respect and recognition for both leaders and all indigenous authorities for their dignity and courage.

The Feminist Association ”La Cuerda”, a group of Psychology Students, also joined the protest and condemned the arbitrary persecution by the Public Ministry towards those peacefully protesting against abuses of power, corruption, and impunity.

All of them described it as worrisome that, to date, the Judiciary has not appointed a judge to advance the case, and the case remains confidential.

This situation, they stated, seriously impedes their right to defense and limits the public’s access to the details of the accusation.

They claimed that the confidentiality be lifted to guarantee their right to defense and transparency. They urged compliance with the deadlines established by law, without unjustified delays, and that due process be respected.

Finally, they demanded the immediate release of the former Indigenous leaders and of the other individuals arbitrarily detained, such as José Rubén Zamora, Stuardo Campo, and Jorge Santos.

They also demanded an end to the persecution of exiles and other criminalized individuals.

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