During the 2023 presidential election season, grassroots organizations called for a National Strike in Guatemala. Indigenous leaders played a major role in organizing protests to protect voters’ rights and demand the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras (sanctioned by the US for her corruption). The Kaqchikel authority of Sololá was one of the first to organize, participating in a protest in front of the Public Ministry (MP) that would create a domino effect throughout the country.
On August 23, 2025, Esteban Toc Tzoy, the former deputy mayor of the Kaqchikel Indigenous Municipality of Sololá, was arrested while driving to a medical appointment. His arrest follows that of fellow Indigenous leaders Héctor Cháclan and Luis Pacheco from the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán, who were arrested in April and remain in pretrial detention on similar charges (cf our letter of 04 MAY 2025). Indigenous authorities believe Toc Tzoy’s arrest and criminalization is an act of retaliation for having filed a legal complaint demanding Porras’ resignation. After an initial hearing on September 5, Toc Tzoy was granted conditional release (placed under house arrest), yet he remains unjustly indicted for terrorism among other crimes.
The use of anti-terrorism laws to criminalize Indigenous leaders for protesting injustice has become a common tactic employed by Guatemala’s Public Ministry. We are urging that authorities follow the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Committee relating to the use of terrorism charges, and guarantee due process and integrity in Toc Tzoy’s case.
