An employee of the public prosecutor’s office entering Save the Children’s headquarters in Guatemala City during a raid on Thursday. Photo: Moises Castillo / AP / NTB
Of NTB | 26.04.2024 04:12:17
Crime and justice: State Attorney Rafael Curruriche says in a video message to the media that a complaint made by an unnamed foreigner has caused great concern because it concerns allegations of child abuse.
Curruriche says the aim of the raid was to look for documents that could possibly support the charges.
The action comes a week after Attorney General Angel Pineda wrote to his colleague in the US state of Texas and asked for help in checking allegations that Save the Children and other aid groups may be involved in the exploitation of children. Prosecutors have not said anything about whether they have received a response from Texas.
Curruriche and Pineda have been accused of trying to undermine democracy in Guatemala by obstructing the fight against corruption and participating in a failed attempt to prevent anti-corruption activist Bernardo Arevalo from becoming the country’s president. These actions have led to over 40 countries imposing sanctions on them, including the US and the EU.
Guatemala is both a country of origin and a country of transit for many migrants who want to reach the United States.
Save the Children has worked in the country since 1976. They have not yet commented on the raid, but said in a statement last week that they are aware of the allegations but have no evidence that they are true.
– We take allegations related to children’s safety very seriously and have mechanisms for independent investigation and thorough investigation, said the organization, which adds that it will continue its humanitarian efforts for migrant children.
(© NTB)