# Guatemala National Civil Police restructuring

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/guatemala-national-civil-police-restructuring
> Updated: 2026-10-27T16:59:36.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 2.

Following the assassination of anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, Guatemala’s Ministry of the Interior initiated a review of the National Civil Police (PNC) structure. The review was prompted by controversial arrest procedures involving Rigoberto and Daniel Choc Toz, who alleged that officers planted a firearm to frame them. The National Office for the Prevention of Torture (MNPT) announced legal action against agents involved, stating that the severity of crimes does not justify “abuses or procedures that violate due process.”

As the institutional restructuring progressed, the Ministry of the Interior dismissed the Director General of the PNC, David Custodio Boteo, and the Deputy Director of Operations, Esvin Jacinto Quiché. While Minister Marco Antonio Villeda characterized these removals as part of a broader restructuring plan rather than a direct reaction to the recent security crisis, the changes aim to strengthen discipline. Erick Rolando Osoy López and Selvin Solano Galicia, both career officers, were appointed to lead the organization.

Recent developments confirm that these leadership changes are intended to strengthen command chains, internal controls, and investigative capabilities. The restructuring occurs alongside investigations into seven police officers detained for alleged irregularities, including the planting of a weapon during an arrest related to the Solórzano Foppa case. President Bernardo Arévalo has emphasized the government’s commitment to combating organized crime and drug trafficking during this transition.

## Claims

- David Custodio Boteo was dismissed as Director General of the PNC. (reported by 11 sources)
- Prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was assassinated on October 17. (reported by 11 sources)
- Esvin Jacinto Quiché was dismissed as Deputy Director of Operations. (reported by 9 sources)
- Erick Rolando Osoy López was appointed as the new Director General of the PNC. (reported by 6 sources)
- Selvin Solano Galicia was appointed as the new Deputy Director of Operations. (reported by 6 sources)
- Seven police officers are detained following allegations of planting a weapon during an arrest. (reported by 4 sources)
- The Ministry of the Interior plans to conduct further evaluations and restructuring within the PNC. (reported by 3 sources)
- The government has incorporated 3,098 new agents and promoted 189 members of the PNC. (reported by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-27: Guatemala reshuffles police leadership amid security crisis

Guatemala has replaced the top leadership of its National Civil Police following the assassination of an anti-corruption prosecutor and a scandal involving the planting of evidence by officers.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-removes-pnc-director-general-david-boteo

### 2026-10-19: Guatemala Ministry of Interior to review National Civil Police structure

Guatemala's Ministry of the Interior is reviewing the National Civil Police structure following the controversial arrest of the Choc Toz brothers, who were falsely implicated in a high-profile murder.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-investigates-police-misconduct-following-irregular-arrests

---
Cite as: Guatemala National Civil Police restructuring. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/guatemala-national-civil-police-restructuring