The Totonicapan leaders are legitimate ancestral authorities in a territory with over 500 years of history.
On Friday, more than 60 Guatemalan, international human rights, and Indigenous organizations demanded the release of Luis Pacheco and Hector Chaclan, Indigenous authorities who have been detained for 233 days.
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The statement was signed by the New Guatemala Migrant Alliance (Amingua), the International Center for Human Rights Research (CIDH), Amandia Radio Collective, and the Latin American and Caribbean Solidarity Network (LACSN), and denounces the accusations made by the Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office accused Pacheco and Chaclan of terrorism, illicit association, and obstruction of justice. However, the organizations reject the charges and argue that the demonstrations were peaceful and in defense of democracy.
In Oct. 2023, authorities from 48 cantons of Totonicapan, among whom were Indigenous leaders, held 106 days of protests in front of the Attorney General’s Office. They demanded the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and respect for the electoral process.
Starting the week in 🇬🇹 @PNUDGuatemala engaging in dialogue with 50 Indigenous leaders on #democracy & #governance
Building infrastructure for #peace means recognizing strength of ancestral leadership, intercultural dialogue, alliance building, and defense of human rights pic.twitter.com/Xm59tfOqkx
— Jairo Acuña-Alfaro (@acuna_jairo) December 8, 2025
Pacheco and Chaclan sent a letter from prison affirming that peaceful protests for democracy and a transition of power are a constitutional right, never terrorism or a crime.
They recalled that the Totonicapan authorities are legitimate ancestral leaders in a territory with more than 500 years of history, a symbol of Indigenous autonomy and the defense of collective rights.
The imprisoned leaders expressed their sorrow at being separated from their families, while human rights defenders demanded their immediate release, the dismissal of the criminal proceedings, and respect for Indigenous peoples.
#FromTheSouth News Bits | Guatemala: The ninth edition of the Flower Festival took place in Antigua. The event brought together thousands of visitors to enjoy floral art and other cultural expressions. pic.twitter.com/GQUx0Nmhn9
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) November 18, 2025
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Source: EFE
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