In a press conference led by Attorney General of the Republic and Chief of the Public Ministry, Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, the results of operations carried out by various prosecutors’ offices over the last 48 hours were presented. These operations aimed to strengthen strategic criminal prosecution and the direct fight against criminal structures that affect Guatemalan society.

The Attorney General was accompanied by Secretary General Ángel Pineda; Deputy General Secretary Erick Schaeffer; Metropolitan Regional Prosecutor Dimas Jiménez; as well as the heads of the Prosecutor’s Offices for Crimes Against Life and Integrity, Kidnappings, Drug-Related Crimes, and Extortion.

Attorney General Porras highlighted the importance of keeping the public informed about recent operations, emphasizing that the high crime rates in Guatemala are not a perception but a painful reality that impacts the lives and peace of Guatemalan families. She reiterated the Public Ministry’s commitment to act with responsibility, strategy, and determination to combat organized crime.

She detailed that between July 12 and 13, simultaneous nationwide operations were carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office for Drug-Related Crimes in coordination with institutions that make up the Interinstitutional Center against Drug Activity in Guatemala (CICNAG), the Prosecutor’s Office against Kidnappings, and the Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Against Life and Integrity.

Additionally, on July 14, the Prosecutor’s Office against Extortion launched a large-scale operation to protect workers during the delivery of the Bono 14 bonus.

The Attorney General also highlighted that since the launch of the Delito Cero (Crime Zero) platform in November 2024, there has been real data available to identify hotspots of violence and act with precision.

She reaffirmed that the Public Ministry is a guarantor of the rule of law and will continue acting firmly to ensure justice, combat impunity, and protect victims. She invited the public to continue reporting crimes and to trust the institution, assuring that efforts will not rest while criminal structures remain active.

For his part, Secretary General Ángel Arnoldo Pineda stressed the importance of addressing justice and citizen security with frankness and responsibility.

He noted that the lack of prevention and action by other agencies has left the Public Ministry as the only line of defense, often operating under adverse conditions.

Despite external attempts to hinder investigations, he emphasized that the Public Ministry will continue confronting criminal networks, corruption structures, and new forms of violence with technical expertise and courage.

He underlined that this fight is not only institutional but also cultural: a daily challenge between those who believe in the law and those who promote impunity through omission or the simulation of good intentions.

He called on the competent authorities to fulfill their prevention duties, which are constitutional, legal, and moral obligations.

Finally, he reiterated that the population is not alone, as they have a Public Ministry that is strong, steadfast, and committed.

Intra-Institutional Coordination

Metropolitan Regional Prosecutor Dimas Jiménez emphasized the strategic coordination among the different prosecutors’ offices to counter criminal phenomena. He highlighted the collaboration between the Prosecutor’s Office against Kidnappings and the Prosecutor’s Office for Drug-Related Crimes, which allowed the sharing of relevant information to strengthen investigations.

He again called on citizens to report crimes through the various channels created for this purpose and in prosecutors’ offices throughout the country.

He also acknowledged the professional work of all personnel involved.

Details of the Operations

Section Prosecutor Edwin Marroquín of the Prosecutor’s Office for Crimes Against Life and Integrity reported on the dismantling of the criminal organization “Los Tripas,” active since March 2024 in the village of San José Nacahuil, San Pedro Ayampuc.

Led by Bayron P. (alias “Tripas”), the group carried out armed attacks through surveillance, hitmen, and weapons transport. Twenty-four raids were conducted, and 17 people were arrested, including one minor.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office against Kidnappings investigated the kidnapping of a man in Dolores, Petén, which occurred on June 7, 2024. The criminal structure demanded USD 200,000, a farm, livestock, and vehicles for his release.

The leader, Joao M., along with other members, was arrested after five raids in Izabal and one in Alta Verapaz. During these operations, 10 firearms, ammunition, tactical vests, cellphones, a vehicle, and approximately Q95,000 in cash were seized.

Additionally, Section Prosecutor Nelly Morataya of the Prosecutor’s Office for Drug-Related Crimes presented results from two operations:

1. “Spas, Trafficking and Laundering,” which dismantled a network involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, and money laundering in Guatemala, Petén, Retalhuleu, and El Salvador.
2. A joint operation with the Prosecutor’s Office against Kidnappings to address related crimes.

Results: 24 raids, 11 arrests, seized drugs, weapons, ammunition, 24 cellphones, four laptops, multiple foreign currencies, documents, and stamps. Also, six bank accounts were frozen totaling Q3.9 million.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office against Extortion, through Chief Prosecutor Emma Flores, reported on the “Free 14” operation, which included 76 raids affecting three criminal structures across four departments.

Preliminarily, 21 people were arrested out of over 30 warrants issued for crimes including illicit association, conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, obstructive extortion of transit, and extortion.

As a result of the actions, four primary victims were protected, preventing extortion payments disguised as Christmas bonuses and Bono 14.

With this coordinated effort, the Public Ministry reaffirms its commitment to act with determination, firmness, and full adherence to the law to combat criminal structures threatening the safety and peace of the population.

The institution calls on citizens to continue trusting, reporting without fear, and remembering that every action strengthens justice and ensures no criminal network goes unpunished.

July 14, 2025