Guatemala clears deputy minister, Indigenous leaders of terrorism charges

A judge in Guatemala has dismissed terrorism charges against Luis Pacheco, who served as deputy minister of governance, along with three Indigenous leaders, concluding that evidence did not support the allegations. The defendants had faced accusations linked to their involvement in or support for demonstrations that took place in 2023.

The court's decision represents a potential vindication for the accused, who had maintained their innocence throughout the legal proceedings. The cases had drawn attention from human rights observers and civil society groups, who expressed concern about the use of terrorism charges against protest organizers and political figures.

The 2023 protests in Guatemala were part of broader civil unrest in the country. The acquittals underscore ongoing debates about the scope of terrorism legislation and its application in cases involving political activism and Indigenous rights advocacy.

The rulings come amid continuing scrutiny of Guatemala's judicial system and its handling of cases related to political expression and protest. Legal experts have noted that terrorism charges have increasingly been employed in the region in ways that critics argue stretch the boundaries of their traditional application.