GUATEMALA CITY.- Guatemalan authorities are carrying out an investigation into an alleged human trafficking network that would have operated within the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing (Micivi) in recent years. The government’s anti-corruption commission, headed by Santiago Palomoexpressed concern about the seriousness of the matter and the need to address it with diligence and responsibility.
The head of the commission described Micivi as a critical environment, marked by impunity, where the dignity of staff has been undermined. He highlighted the importance of restoring integrity within the ministry as a fundamental challenge.
Although the existence of this network was mentioned in local media in 2018 during the administration of former President Jimmy Morales, no formal complaints were filed with the Prosecutor’s Office at that time. However, the issue returned to public attention after the Minister of Communications, Jasmine de la Vegawas dismissed by the president Bernardo Arevalo due to problems with payment to contractors.
De la Vega regretted that his complaint to the president in January was not taken into account. Arévalo, for his part, assured that the matter is being investigated by the newly created National Commission Against Corruption, thus fulfilling one of his campaign promises.
According to statements by the former official, the people involved in the network were linked to a Micivi unit, although it was not clear what their specific functions were. The existence of a catalog distributed among those involved was mentioned, which suggests an organized and systematic operation.
The anti-corruption commission requested a detailed report from the Ministry of Communications to clarify the actions taken against this alleged mafia, which would have been established during previous administrations. The seriousness of the accusations was underlined, which, if confirmed, would constitute a flagrant violation of human rights and another tragic example of the corruption entrenched in the Guatemalan State.
The statement issued by the entity demands concrete explanations about how the network was discovered, who was affected and who could be responsible for benefiting from it. Furthermore, the alleged criminal activity was strongly condemned, describing it as a despicable and inhumane act that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness and determination.
Source: With information from AFP
