In a significant judicial reversal, Judge Mynor Moto of the Third Criminal Court has dismissed terrorism charges against Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three other Indigenous leaders. The decision came on Friday following a request from prosecutors, who concluded that the organizers of the October 2023 protests had not violated any laws during their demonstrations.

The case was part of a broader wave of prosecutions initiated under former Attorney General Consuelo Porras. Porras, who recently lost her bid for a third term, had been sanctioned by the United States, Canada, and the European Union. These sanctions were based on allegations of systemic corruption, the persecution of human rights defenders, and deliberate attempts to undermine the 2023 election victory of President Bernardo Arevalo.

BozokMedia analysis shows that this ruling marks a pivotal shift in Guatemala's judicial landscape. For years, the 'criminalization of protest' has been used as a tool to silence Indigenous voices and political dissent. By dismantling these charges, the current administration is not only exonerating individuals but is actively stripping away the legal mechanisms used by the previous regime to intimidate the populace.

Among those cleared is Luis Pacheco, the current Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Pacheco previously led the 48 Cantones of Totonicapan, a powerful Maya Indigenous authority. He was prosecuted alongside Hector Chaclan, Basilio Puac, and Esteban Toc, who faced charges ranging from illicit association to sedition.

The dismissal of these charges serves as a critical precedent against the weaponization of the judiciary to stifle democratic dissent.

The United Nations human rights office welcomed the verdict, stating that it recognizes legitimate forms of Indigenous organizing. The UN has previously documented a troubling pattern in Guatemala where Indigenous leaders are targeted with criminal charges to disrupt their advocacy for land and human rights.

President Arevalo, who took office in 2024 after a grueling legal battle, has prioritized the reversal of these politically motivated prosecutions. He has appointed a new attorney general tasked with reviewing and dismissing cases that were arbitrarily brought under the previous administration's tenure.

Did You Know?: The Maya Indigenous authorities in Guatemala often operate as traditional governance systems that run parallel to the official municipal councils, maintaining deep cultural and political influence.

1. Why were the charges against Luis Pacheco and others dropped?
Prosecutors concluded after their own investigation that the 2023 protests were legal and did not constitute acts of terrorism or sedition.

2. Who is Consuelo Porras and what was her role?
She was the former Attorney General of Guatemala, accused of corruption and attempting to block the transition of power to President Bernardo Arevalo.