# Guatemalan legal cases against Indigenous leaders > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/guatemalan-legal-cases-against-indigenous-leaders > Updated: 2026-09-25T21:30:13.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 2. Legal proceedings against Indigenous leaders in Guatemala regarding 2023 protests have been dismissed. Initially, the Public Ministry requested to drop terrorism, sedition, and unlawful association charges against leaders Luis Pacheco, Héctor Chaclán, Basilio Puac, and Esteban Toc. Prosecutors argued that the protests, which supported President Bernardo Arévalo and called for the resignation of former Attorney General Consuelo Porras, were an exercise of freedom of expression. Following these initial requests, the judicial process concluded with the dismissal of charges against María Juana Elías, a leader of the 48 Cantones de Totonicapán. Judge Mynor Moto ordered the dismissal after the prosecution found no evidence of criminal acts during the demonstrations. As part of the ruling, the judge ordered the Attorney General’s Office to issue a public apology on behalf of the State of Guatemala to the leaders of the 48 Cantones de Totonicapán and the Indigenous Mayor’s Office of Sololá for the persecution they experienced while exercising their right to protest. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: Guatemala closes criminal cases against indigenous leaders Guatemala has closed criminal cases against indigenous leaders, including María Juana Elías, following the dismissal of terrorism and sedition charges related to 2023 democratic defense protests. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-closes-criminal-cases-against-indigenous-leaders ### 2026-09-11: Guatemala prosecutors seek to drop terrorism charges against Indigenous leaders Guatemala's Public Ministry has requested to drop terrorism and sedition charges against four Indigenous leaders involved in the 2023 protests supporting President Bernardo Arévalo. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/guatemala-prosecutors-seek-dismissal-of-charges-against-indigenous-leaders --- Cite as: Guatemalan legal cases against Indigenous leaders. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/guatemalan-legal-cases-against-indigenous-leaders