Guatemalan Court Partially Lifts Asset Freeze in Transurbano Case

A Guatemalan court has partially lifted asset freezes on properties connected to Luis Gómez, a defendant in the Transurbano case. The Sixth Court of Extinction of Domain authorized the release of several farms located in Petén, a northern department. The judge cited that these properties have been invaded and Gómez needs to manage their eviction.

However, the court decided to keep asset freezes in place for properties situated in the departments of Guatemala and Escuintla. These assets will remain under the administration of the National Secretariat of Administration of Assets in Extinction of Domain (Senabed).

The properties are registered under the company Tecnología y Proyectos, S.A., where Gómez serves as the legal representative. The Public Ministry's Extinction of Domain Prosecutor's Office had frozen these assets in 2016, suspecting they were acquired with illicit funds. The investigation aims to determine the origin of the money used for their purchase.

Gómez's defense had requested the return of 25 properties across Guatemala, Escuintla, and Petén. They argued that since the Second Criminal Court closed the criminal proceedings against him on June 20, 2025, the properties should be returned. Gómez was previously prosecuted for illicit association, embezzlement, and money laundering in connection with the Transurbano prepaid system. The investigation suggested his involvement in a project marred by an alleged Q270 million fraud from diverted public funds. Despite the closure of the criminal case, the domain extinction procedure continues independently.

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The judge resolved to maintain the precautionary measures on the farms located in the departments of Guatemala and Escuintla, which will continue under the administration of the National Secretariat of Administration of Assets in Extinction of Domain (Senabed).