Attorney General and Chief of the Public Ministry, Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, convened a session with the Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice to sustain and advance interinstitutional efforts. These endeavors have yielded substantial advancements in bolstering the justice system by facilitating coordinated, multidisciplinary, and specialized services. This concerted approach ensures an efficient and comprehensive response to the needs of the Guatemalan populace.

The meeting was attended by the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Oscar Cruz; Magistrate Vocal II, René Guillermo Girón Palacios; Magistrate Vocal III, Evert Obdulio Barrientos Padilla; the President of the Penal Chamber, Magistrate Vocal IV, Gustavo Adolfo Morales Duarte; Magistrate Vocal V, Jorge Eduardo Tucux Coyoy; Magistrate Vocal VI, Claudia Lucrecia Paredes Castañeda; Magistrate Vocal VIII, Ronald Manuel Colindres Roca; Magistrate Vocal IX, Héctor Ricardo Echeverría Méndez; the President of the Civil Chamber, Magistrate Vocal X, Manuel Duarte Barrera; Magistrate Vocal XI, Benicia Contreras Calderón; Magistrate Vocal XII, Carlos Humberto Rivera Carrillo; and the President of the Chamber of Constitutional Protection and Pre-trial Matters Chamber, Magistrate Vocal XIII, José Luis de Jesús Samayoa Palacios.

Mrs. Porras Argueta summarized the strengthening that the Public Ministry has undergone during her tenure and announced the actions that the institution has promoted for the benefit of the population during the period from 2018 to 2023, which have allowed for significant efficiency in the justice sector.

Among these actions, she highlighted the 98% reduction in prosecutorial case backlog, the resolution of 96% of new cases filed since May 2018. Additionally, the ISO 9001-2015 Certification in 343 dependencies, the creation and implementation of 7 specialized units, and 100% coverage of the Criminal Investigations Directorate, among other advances.

During the meeting, topics related to specific axes of interinstitutional cooperation involving the Judicial Branch were also addressed, such as attention and services for vulnerable groups in the Comprehensive Care Model for Women Victims of Violence – MAIMI -, the Comprehensive Care Model for Children and Adolescents – MAINA -, the Comprehensive Model for Juvenile Criminal Justice – MAIJU -, and the Integrated Center against Drug Trafficking in Guatemala – CICNAG -.

In this regard, the Attorney General also emphasized the creation of the Comprehensive Model for Migrant Victims – MAIVIM -, which will be a very important tool to optimize resources and strengthen strategic criminal prosecution in combating the crime of migrant trafficking in Guatemala.

The Attorney General reiterated the importance of coordinated work as a tool to effectively address the population and thanked the participation of the Magistrates in the coordination meeting «whose fruits we are sure will benefit the justice system of our country, being one of our common objectives to safeguard the well-being of Guatemala,» she stated.

She also expressed her expectation to «continue materializing many successful coordinations that benefit our country. Again, I affirm that in the respect of our respective functions and compliance with the law, the Public Ministry always has open doors for all of you,» she concluded.

For their part, both the Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Justice, as well as the Magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice, expressed their gratitude for the invitation and acknowledged the relevant achievements reached for the benefit of the population through coordinated work.

February 20, 2024