Guatemalan police efforts and structural review

The National Civil Police (PNC) of Guatemala has called upon the national justice system to prevent the release of suspected gang members and individuals linked to terrorist organizations. The PNC warned that granting liberties or substitute measures to these suspects undermines security and causes public unrest.

To address these concerns, the PNC announced plans to intensify investigative and operational actions against criminal structures. The institution has ordered police units to strengthen the preparation of case files, emphasizing the need for “absolute procedural precision” and the provision of “solid, reliable, and unassailable” evidence to the Public Ministry to ensure the criminal responsibility of detainees.

Following controversy regarding the arrest of brothers Rigoberto and Daniel Choc Toz, the Guatemalan Ministry of Interior has announced an exhaustive review of the PNC’s structure, command levels, and operational procedures. The brothers were identified by police as suspects in an October 17 armed attack in Guatemala City that killed attorney Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa and Gustavo Adolfo Aguilar Gamarro, but a court recently issued a ruling of lack of merit in their favor.

Minister Marco Antonio Villeda stated that the review aims to identify measures to strengthen the institution’s performance, response capacity, and oversight mechanisms. The Ministry indicated it will adopt administrative and organizational measures based on the evaluation results and will inform the public of its findings in the coming days.