The Public Ministry, through the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office Against Extortion, obtained a conviction from the High-Risk Criminal Court “Group C” against 46 individuals affiliated with the “Raza Chapina” clique of the Barrio 18 gang.

These convictions arise from a thorough investigation into criminal activities committed between August 2017 and October 2018, during which the defendants allegedly carried out extortion through telephonic threats against victims in the departments of Chimaltenango, Guatemala, and Sacatepéquez.

The court imposed sentences for serious offenses, including:

• Criminal association
• Conspiracy to commit homicide
• Extortionate obstruction of transit
• Conspiracy to commit human trafficking
• Conspiracy to illegally transport firearms
• Intimidatory exactions, among others.

Principal sentences imposed:

• Gustavo Adolfo Martínez Fuentes, alias “Velorio”: 178 years imprisonment plus a fine of Q300,000.
• Francisco Roynel Chajón Martínez, alias “Fernando”: 171 years imprisonment.
• Pedro Luis Bernal Tun, alias “Liro Loco”: 97 years and 4 months imprisonment.
• Rolando Nahamán Carmona, alias “Gato”: 66 years and 8 months imprisonment plus a fine of Q300,000.
• Roberta Angélica Agustín Domínguez: 60 years imprisonment.
• Genry Geovany Itzol Cruz, alias “Loco”: 53 years and 10 months imprisonment plus a fine of Q400,000.
• Josué Benjamín Lima Calanche, alias “Big Cola” or “Compota”: 40 years imprisonment.
• María Alicia Cárdenas Sequén: 39 years imprisonment.
• Carlos Estuardo Álvarez Osorio: 37 years imprisonment.
• Marina Alicia Osorio Rodríguez: 31 years imprisonment.
• Josué Estuardo Cruz Jiménez, alias “El Carnero”: 31 years imprisonment.
• Mauricio Cemeño Solís: 31 years imprisonment.
• Julio César Domínguez Chigüela, alias “Slepyn”: 30 years and 8 months imprisonment plus a fine of Q300,000.
• Esvin Leonardo Jiménez de Paz, alias “Epi” or “Pingüino”: 24 years and 8 months imprisonment.
• Marta Luisa Samol Tum: 21 years and 4 months imprisonment plus a fine of Q400,000.
• Herber Eliseo Díaz Cantoral, alias “Flaco” or “Parka”: 18 years and 8 months imprisonment.
• Mariela Chavaj Hernández, alias “La Kim”: 14 years imprisonment.
• And others with sentences ranging from 12 to 6 years imprisonment.

Prior to trial, 20 of the accused accepted responsibility under the special plea agreement procedure, receiving sentences ranging from 4 to 14 years imprisonment.

This ruling represents a significant blow to the Barrio 18 criminal organization and reflects the coordinated efforts of the Public Ministry to dismantle criminal networks undermining public security. The convictions send a clear message: participation in extortion and related felonies will face strict judicial consequences.

Guatemala, September 18, 2025