The Attorney General and Chief of the Public Ministry (PM), Mrs. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, led a working meeting today with Werner Ovalle Ramírez, Superintendent of the Tax Administration Superintendency (SAT).

Representing the Public Ministry were Ángel Arnoldo Pineda Ávila, Secretary General; Erick Eduardo Schaeffer, First Deputy Secretary General; Julia María Juárez, Second Deputy Secretary General; regional prosecutors; and heads of the Prosecutor’s Office against Tax Fraud and Customs Smuggling.

On behalf of SAT, attending officials included Edwin Orlando Curtidor, Customs Superintendent; Amed Estuardo Reyes, Head of the Department Against Tax Fraud and Customs Smuggling; along with other senior officials.

During her remarks, Attorney General Porras Argueta emphasized that the PM is implementing strategic actions to combat tax fraud and customs smuggling offenses. This includes ongoing training for technical staff and prosecutors, and the deployment of innovative technological tools such as the ASTREA system (Technological Applications for the Strategic Resolution of Cases and Victim Assistance).

ASTREA is an integrated case management system designed for information registration, case tracking, and victim support. It allows prosecutors to access the system via multiple devices, links information across agencies, and sends automatic notifications. It is also interconnected with other state institutions, the justice sector, and private entities, enabling a more targeted and effective approach to crime investigation and prosecution.

During the meeting, both institutions proposed measures to improve existing procedures, not only at customs but also through coordinated efforts with the Interinstitutional Center Against Narcotics Trafficking in Guatemala (CICNAG), which has delivered significant results.

The PM also collaborates closely with the Chamber of Industry to establish a specialized model providing 24/7 service, year-round.

Through these efforts, the Public Ministry reaffirms its unwavering commitment to strengthen interinstitutional cooperation and achieve meaningful progress in combating criminal networks, ultimately benefiting the people of Guatemala.

Guatemala, July 25, 2025