Seven prosecutors from the Public Ministry of Guatemala linked to the previous attorney general are dismissed

The attorney general and head of the Public Ministry (MP), Gabriel García Luna, has dismissed seven prosecutors from the body who held positions during the Consuelo Porras administration, sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and Canada for “undermining democracy” and “participating in illicit acts.”

Among the dismissals is that of Cinthia Edelmira Monterroso Gómez, who was a regional prosecutor. During Porras’ administration, Monterroso was in charge of investigations related to cases that generated controversy and for which she was sanctioned by the United States under accusations of undermining democracy and corruption.

Thus, he directed the proceedings related to the arrest of journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín, president of ‘El Periódico’, who was accused of money laundering. This process generated national and international criticism because it was considered an action against freedom of the press.

He also participated in investigations against Zamora Marroquín’s lawyers and against anti-corruption prosecutors who were part of the defunct International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). Likewise, he requested that journalists and columnists of ‘El Periódico’ be investigated.

Monterroso was also in charge of operations linked to the judicial process against the Semilla Movement, party of President Bernardo Arévalo. The president accused her of participating in an alleged “coup d’état”, in “conspiracy” with Judge Fredy Orellana, Attorney General Porras and the former head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity (Feci), Rafael Curruchiche. All of them, like Monterroso, have been sanctioned by the United States.

Óscar Sagastume Álvarez, director of Criminal Investigations of the Prosecutor’s Office, has also submitted his resignation.