Guatemala's Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán Placed Under House Arrest

Guatemalan Judge Mynor Moto revoked the preventive detention of former indigenous leaders Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, granting them house arrest with a bail of 160,000 quetzales each. The ruling bars them from holding public office and requires monthly check‑ins, but allows them to return to their families while the criminal proceedings continue. Both men were arrested in April 2025 and accused of terrorism, illicit association and other crimes linked to the 2023 nationwide protests that defended the 2023 election results. Amnesty International designated them prisoners of conscience in May 2026, stating they were detained for peacefully exercising freedom of expression and assembly. President Bernardo Arévalo praised the decision on social media, calling it a step forward for democracy. The leaders remain detained until the bail is paid, and their cases highlight ongoing concerns about the use of the justice system against Indigenous activists in Guatemala.