A judge in Guatemala has dismissed terrorism charges against Deputy Minister Luis Pacheco and three former Indigenous community leaders in relation to protests that took place in 2023.
The defendants were accused in connection with the demonstrations, but the court ruling removes the terrorism allegations from the case. Authorities have not yet publicly detailed whether other charges remain or what legal steps, if any, will follow.
Context
The protests in 2023 drew national attention and involved a range of actors, including Indigenous groups. Allegations of criminal conduct stemming from those events led to prosecutions against several participants and organizers; the decision to clear Pacheco and the three ex-leaders marks a notable development in those proceedings.
Outlook
It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors would seek to appeal the ruling or pursue alternative charges. The outcome is likely to be closely watched by political actors and Indigenous organisations given the wider social and political tensions that accompanied the 2023 unrest.