Publicado el 23 Octubre 2025
UNOPS Case – Presidential Corruption: FECI Reveals Irregularities in Agreement Between Ministry of Health and UNOPS
In a press conference, Mr. Rafael Curruchiche, Chief Prosecutor of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI), announced that the Public Ministry, in fulfillment of its constitutional mandate, presents to the people of Guatemala the results of the investigation into the case “UNOPS: Presidential Corruption”. This case involves serious irregularities in the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
The investigation began following complaints filed in April 2024, which alleged corruption and abuse of authority in the management of public funds. The Public Ministry, through FECI, launched a thorough investigation to clarify the facts and determine the corresponding criminal responsibilities.
Key Findings of the Investigation
Mr. Mario Véliz, prosecuting attorney, explained that the investigation identified serious irregularities in the memorandum signed by the Ministry of Health and UNOPS, which was executed without approval from the Congress of the Republic, despite Article 171, Literal L of the Constitution stipulating that the approval of international treaties and agreements is exclusively Congress’s responsibility.
It was also found that the Ministry of Health lacked the budgetary availability to meet the financial obligations of the agreement. The total project cost amounted to USD $943,944,469.00 (Q7,230,614,632.54), representing a significant economic burden for the State.
An audit conducted by the General Comptroller of Accounts, at the request of the Public Ministry, revealed that the project with UNOPS generated USD $143,944,469.00 (Q1,115,569,634.75) in direct and indirect costs, including commissions, institutional strengthening, and other administrative expenses.
Furthermore, the supposed savings on medicine purchases were minimal or nonexistent, with discounts ranging from 0% to 25%, and in some cases, MSPAS paid higher prices than before. Investigations also revealed that UNOPS purchased medicines from the same national suppliers, violating its obligation to conduct competitive international procurement processes.
A significant portion of the medicines came from India, with some batches of low quality. On February 21, 2025, the Department of Regulation and Control of Pharmaceutical Products of MSPAS suspended the sanitary license of Farmacofocus Internacional, S.A., after detecting macroscopic contamination in paracetamol (acetaminophen) distributed under the UNOPS agreement.
Despite official warnings, contaminated medicines continued to be distributed in at least ten hospitals for several months, putting patient health at risk. Some centers falsely reported that the product withdrawal was due to expiration, when it was actually due to contamination.
Actions Taken by FECI
As part of this investigation, FECI, with support from the National Civil Police, carried out eight raids at administrative offices, pharmaceutical companies, and residences linked to the case, along with ten inspections in hospitals and warehouses of the national health system to verify the distribution of contaminated medicines.
These operations aim to trace the flow of money, examine contracts, assess procurement procedures, and uncover irregularities in medicine supervision and purchases.
FECI has also executed arrest warrants issued by the Fifth Multi-Judge Court of First Instance for Criminal Cases against:
- Mr. Óscar Arnoldo Cordón Cruz, former Minister of Health, for illicit association, abuse of authority, and embezzlement by misappropriation.
- Mrs. María Gabriela Chaulón Pérez, for illicit association, embezzlement by misappropriation, and influence peddling.
- Mr. Edwin Romeo Sicán, for illicit association, abuse of authority, and embezzlement by misappropriation.
- Mr. Luis Felipe Aldana Cermeño, Chief of the MSPAS Budget Department, for ideological falsehood (warrant executed).
Additionally, FECI has filed a request for immunity proceedings against Mr. Joaquín Barnoya Pérez, current Minister of Health, to investigate allegations of illicit association, abuse of authority, and embezzlement by misappropriation.
Mr. Curruchiche emphasized that this is not an isolated case. FECI currently has 24 ongoing investigations in various ministries and public institutions, based on complaints from the General Comptroller of Accounts, including the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Communications, Ministry of Education, and the Secretary of Social Works of the President’s Wife (SOSEP).
The Public Ministry reaffirms its commitment to the people of Guatemala to investigate all acts of corruption with objectivity, independence, and firmness, regardless of the rank or position of those involved, in defense of the State’s interests and transparency in public administration.
Guatemala City, October 21, 2025