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34 alleged gang members face judge in Guatemala
🇬🇹 Guatemala /Crime & Justice

34 alleged gang members face judge in Guatemala

From Prensa Libre · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • Thirty-four alleged Mara Salvatrucha gang members appeared before a judge in Guatemala on charges including extortion and illicit association.
  • The arrests occurred in September 2025 during operations in the El Gallito neighborhood, a zone disputed by criminal groups.
  • The Public Ministry is presenting its investigation, linking the accused to crimes such as extortion, conspiracy to commit murder, and armed attacks.

Thirty-four alleged members of the Mara Salvatrucha gang appeared before Guatemala's Eighth Criminal Court on Wednesday, facing charges related to extortion, illicit association, and armed attacks. These individuals were apprehended in September 2025 during operations dubbed "Rescatando El Gallito" (Rescuing El Gallito).

The Public Ministry (MP) has begun presenting its case against the defendants, who are accused of involvement in various criminal activities. According to authorities, the operations took place in the El Gallito neighborhood in zone 3 of the capital, an area known to be contested by two criminal groups vying for control over drug trafficking territory.

The MP's investigation suggests that the women arrested in connection with this case allegedly received bank deposits derived from extortion payments. The court hearing on Wednesday is expected to reveal further details of the investigation, and the Eighth Criminal Court will determine the legal status of each of the accused.

Authorities are working to dismantle the criminal structures operating in the area, which have been linked to widespread extortion and violence. The ongoing legal proceedings aim to bring those responsible to justice and restore security to the affected communities.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Prensa Libre in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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