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Alberto Rotondo, the former head of security for a Canadian mining project in Guatemala, has allegedly escaped police custody, local outlet Prensa Comunitaria reported Monday.
Officials from the Office of the Public Prosecutor arrived at Rotondo's home in the early hours of Monday to carry out his transfer to El Boqueron maximum security prison only to find he had fled. His whereabouts are still unknown.
Guatemala's Constitutional Court had set Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 as the date for Rotondo to turn himself over into police custody. Rotondo had previously been held under house arrest, however the courts reversed their position.
Rotondo is alleged to have ordered security officials at the Tahoe Resources' Escobal mine to attack demonstrators during a protest in April 27, 2013.
Wiretap transcripts ordered by Guatemala’s Public Prosecutor directly implicate Rotondo in connection with the shooting outside the Escobal mine.
In a recording with Tahoe’s communications and security advisor, Rotondo makes clear his intention to quell protests against the mine through violence.
Seven Guatemalan workers filed a lawsuit against Tahoe Resources in a Canadian court. However, Justice Laura Gerow determined earlier this month that Guatemala was the more appropriate venue.
“Rotondo's escape is one more example of the need for international accountability mechanisms for Canadian-US mining companies operating in Guatemala,” read a statement posted by the Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala.
ANALYSIS: Canadian Mining Undermines Democracy in Central America
Rotondo is presently facing separate criminal charges in Guatemala. He is charged with serious and minor injury as well as the obstruction of justice and abuse of minors. His trial was set to begin in January 2016.
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