Authorities from the Prosecutor’s Office Against Transnational Crimes and the Prosecutor’s Office Against Money Laundering and Other Assets held a press conference to provide details on search warrants, inspections, registrations, and evidence seizures carried out at strategic locations within the department of Huehuetenango.

From the Prosecutor’s Office Against Transnational Crimes, 34 raids were conducted with the goal of dismantling the human trafficking network known as «Mercaderes de Migrantes.»

This network primarily operated in the northwestern region of the country, affecting border security between Guatemala and Mexico.

The operation led to the arrest of 10 individuals, the seizure of 13 vehicles, Q283,348.00 in cash, and $216.00 in U.S. dollars.

Ms. María Esther Guzmán, section prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office Against Transnational Crimes, stated that the investigation revealed this group had been operating since February 2024.

The structure recruited both national and foreign migrants through “recruiters.” Once under their control, the victims were transported by land or air to the municipalities of Nentón and San Pedro Soloma, in Huehuetenango.

The migrants were housed in unsanitary places known as “warehouses,” where they were sometimes kidnapped and tortured.

Additionally, members of the network sent photos and videos to the families of the victims, making them believe that their loved ones had already reached the United States, when in fact they were still in Mexican or Guatemalan territory. The organization charged between Q80,000 and Q120,000 per person.

Case «Ventanillas Paralelas»

From the Prosecutor’s Office Against Money Laundering and Other Assets, Ms. Nancy Ovando reported that 22 raids were conducted as part of the operation “Ventanillas Paralelas”.

The investigation was initiated following a report from the Special Verification Department of the Superintendence of Banks, which identified unusual financial transactions linked to banking agents primarily operating in the municipality of San Pedro Soloma, Huehuetenango.

Based on an extensive financial analysis conducted by this office within the criminal case, it was preliminarily established that the structure under investigation had moved over Q5 billion in illicit funds, related to the identified transaction universe.

These amounts do not represent a final determination of criminal liability, as they are part of an ongoing technical-financial analysis.

According to the investigation, the funds may be linked to transnational illicit activities, and their nature will be determined as the criminal process progresses.

As a result of the operations, the following individuals were arrested: Lucio L., Francisco D., Luis M., Augusto S., Ceferino G., Sebastián M., Ezequiel P., and Lucía F.. Additionally, the arrest of Regino T. was coordinated for the crime of violence against women. Moreover, cash was seized, and the total amount is still being counted.

In compliance with Article 10 of the Money Laundering Law, the information related to the investigation is confidential, so no further details can be provided at this stage.

Guatemala, February 16, 2026.