Police and civilians face legal action in Peru and Guatemala

In Peru, a judge has ordered 18 months of preventive detention for seven individuals, including former Tarma police commander David Walter Ramírez Panta, in connection with the ‘Los Apretadores’ criminal group. The investigation involves four police officers and three civilians accused of using threats and extortion to seize vehicles and demand money from owners through fraudulent investment or rental schemes.

In Guatemala, the High Risk Tribunal B is entering the final phase of a trial against seven former National Civil Police (PNC) agents. The defendants are accused of the extrajudicial execution of Canadian citizen Nelson Santamaría and Guatemalan citizen Eldin Choc in San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango. The Public Ministry is currently submitting documentary evidence, with closing arguments and potential sentencing expected to follow shortly.