**Guatemalan Court Acquits Deputy Minister and Indigenous Leaders of Terrorism Charges**
*Guatemala City, September 12, 2026* — A Guatemalan court has acquitted Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three Indigenous leaders of terrorism charges related to their involvement in protests that occurred in October 2023. The ruling, delivered by Judge Mynor Moto of the Third Criminal Court, came after prosecutors requested the dismissal of the case, concluding that the defendants had not violated any laws by organizing the demonstrations.
The protests were aimed at calling for the resignation of former Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who faced accusations of attempting to obstruct the inauguration of President Bernardo Arevalo. The protests highlighted widespread discontent over Porras's actions, which many viewed as an effort to undermine the democratic process following Arevalo's election victory.
In addition to Pacheco, the court cleared Hector Chaclan, the former treasurer of the 48 Cantones of Totonicapan, Basilio Puac, its former vice president, and Esteban Toc, a former deputy mayor of the Indigenous municipality of Solola. The prosecution had initially charged the four with illicit association, terrorism, and obstructing justice, with Puac and Toc also facing sedition charges.
Pacheco, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Sustainable Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mines, previously led the 48 Cantones, a Maya Indigenous authority known for its advocacy and organization of protests. Following the charges, he was suspended from his ministerial position, but the ministry has since expressed its support for the ruling and anticipates his return to work.
The case against Pacheco and the other leaders is part of a broader context of legal actions initiated under Porras's administration, which has faced criticism for targeting human rights advocates and Indigenous leaders. The United Nations human rights office welcomed the court's decision, stating that it reinforces the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, while also acknowledging the legitimacy of Indigenous organizing efforts in Guatemala.
The acquittal is seen as a significant development in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in Guatemala, particularly in light of the political turmoil surrounding Arevalo's presidency. Following months of legal challenges from Porras's office, Arevalo finally took office in 2024, prioritizing the review and unwinding of prosecutions that were perceived as politically motivated. He has appointed a new attorney general who has committed to reassessing cases that were arbitrarily brought under Porras's tenure.
This ruling not only clears Pacheco and the other leaders of serious charges but also reflects a shift in the judicial landscape of Guatemala, where the legacy of corruption and political interference continues to be a pressing issue. As the country navigates its path forward, the implications of this case may resonate in the ongoing discourse surrounding Indigenous rights and political accountability.