Latest news with #CristinaChiquin
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
Guatemala sentences officials over 2017 shelter fire that killed 41 girls
The mother of a victim reacts following the veredict, as mothers of victims and survivors of the 2017 fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion shelter attend the trial over the deaths of 41 children, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 12, 2025. (REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin) GUATEMALA CITY, Aug 12 (Reuters) - A Guatemalan court on Tuesday sentenced six people to prison terms ranging from six to 25 years for their roles in a 2017 fire that killed 41 girls at a state-run youth shelter. The defendants - two former police officers and four former child protection officials - were convicted of homicide, mistreatment of minors, abuse of authority and breach of duty. The sentences mark a significant step in a national tragedy that drew international condemnation and exposed systemic abuse within Guatemala's state shelters. The fire broke out on March 8, 2017, at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home near Guatemala City. According to testimony, 56 girls were padlocked in a small room as punishment for protesting abuse and attempting to escape. After hours inside, one girl set a mattress on fire, hoping to force guards to open the door. Witnesses testified that despite the girls' cries for help, police waited nine minutes to unlock the door. The blaze ultimately killed 41 girls and left 15 survivors with severe burns. "I know my truth and the truth of my friends who no longer have a voice," survivor Elba Contreras told the court last month. "The only thing I ask ... is that you issue a fair sentence ... confirming that these people are guilty." In her ruling, Judge Ingrid Cifuentes also ordered an investigation into former President Jimmy Morales, who was in office at the time. She cited a lack of jurisdiction for not ruling on charges against a seventh defendant, the country's former children's prosecutor. —Reuters
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Straits Times
Guatemala sentences officials over 2017 shelter fire that killed 41 girls
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A woman reacts as mothers of victims and survivors of the 2017 fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion shelter attend the trial over the deaths of 41 children, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin GUATEMALA CITY - A Guatemalan court on Tuesday sentenced six people to prison terms ranging from six to 25 years for their roles in a 2017 fire that killed 41 girls at a state-run youth shelter. The defendants - two former police officers and four former child protection officials - were convicted of homicide, mistreatment of minors, abuse of authority and breach of duty. The sentences mark a significant step in a national tragedy that drew international condemnation and exposed systemic abuse within Guatemala's state shelters. The fire broke out on March 8, 2017, at the Virgen de la Asunción Safe Home near Guatemala City. According to testimony, 56 girls were padlocked in a small room as punishment for protesting abuse and attempting to escape. After hours inside, one girl set a mattress on fire, hoping to force guards to open the door. Witnesses testified that despite the girls' cries for help, police waited nine minutes to unlock the door. The blaze ultimately killed 41 girls and left 15 survivors with severe burns. "I know my truth and the truth of my friends who no longer have a voice," survivor Elba Contreras told the court last month. "The only thing I ask ... is that you issue a fair sentence ... confirming that these people are guilty." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation Singapore MyRepublic customers air concerns over broadband speed after sale to StarHub Singapore Power switchboard failure led to disruption in NEL, Sengkang-Punggol LRT services: SBS Transit Singapore NEL and Sengkang-Punggol LRT resume service after hours-long power fault Business Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2 rounds of layoffs in 2024 Singapore Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Davinder Singh Singapore Man who stabbed son-in-law to death in Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies of heart attack, says daughter Singapore Man who stalked woman blasted by judge on appeal for asking scandalous questions in court In her ruling, Judge Ingrid Cifuentes also ordered an investigation into former President Jimmy Morales, who was in office at the time. She cited a lack of jurisdiction for not ruling on charges against a seventh defendant, the country's former children's prosecutor. REUTERS
The Star
7 days ago
- The Star
Former Guatemalan police officers, officials sentenced for deaths of 41 girls in fire
A woman reacts as mothers of victims and survivors of the 2017 fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion shelter attend the trial over the deaths of 41 children, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -A Guatemalan court on Tuesday sentenced six people to between six and 25 years in prison for the deaths of 41 children in a raging fire eight years ago inside a state shelter for at-risk youth. The sentencing is a step towards closure in one of the most horrific and deadly events in Guatemalan history. The tragedy drew international attention and highlighted pervasive abuse in the government's shelter system. The six sentenced on Tuesday - two former police officers and four former child protection officials - were found guilty of homicide, mistreatment of minors, breach of duties and abuse of authority. All pleaded not guilty. The judge said she did not have the jurisdiction to rule on charges against a seventh defendant, the country's former Children's Prosecutor at the Attorney General's Office, who had pleaded not guilty. The fire occurred on March 8, 2017, at the Virgin de la Asuncion Safe Home outside Guatemala City, when 56 girls and teenagers were padlocked in a classroom allegedly for bad behavior. After spending hours locked inside, one of the girls lit a match to a mattress, thinking it might force police to let them out, according to witnesses. Despite cries for help, police refused to open the doors for nine minutes, witnesses said. Forty one girls and teenagers died, and 15 more survived with serious burns. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Emily Green, Brendan O'Boyle and Sarah Morland)
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Straits Times
Former Guatemalan police officers, officials sentenced for deaths of 41 girls in fire
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A woman reacts as mothers of victims and survivors of the 2017 fire at the Virgen de la Asuncion shelter attend the trial over the deaths of 41 children, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, August 12, 2025. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin GUATEMALA CITY - A Guatemalan court on Tuesday sentenced six people to between six and 25 years in prison for the deaths of 41 children in a raging fire eight years ago inside a state shelter for at-risk youth. The sentencing is a step towards closure in one of the most horrific and deadly events in Guatemalan history. The tragedy drew international attention and highlighted pervasive abuse in the government's shelter system. The six sentenced on Tuesday - two former police officers and four former child protection officials - were found guilty of homicide, mistreatment of minors, breach of duties and abuse of authority. All pleaded not guilty. The judge said she did not have the jurisdiction to rule on charges against a seventh defendant, the country's former Children's Prosecutor at the Attorney General's Office, who had pleaded not guilty. The fire occurred on March 8, 2017, at the Virgin de la Asuncion Safe Home outside Guatemala City, when 56 girls and teenagers were padlocked in a classroom allegedly for bad behavior. After spending hours locked inside, one of the girls lit a match to a mattress, thinking it might force police to let them out, according to witnesses. Despite cries for help, police refused to open the doors for nine minutes, witnesses said. Forty one girls and teenagers died, and 15 more survived with serious burns. REUTERS
Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
DHS under fire for ‘disgusting and mean' Alligator Alcatraz meme, ‘Kristi Noem should be in jail for posting this'
The Homeland Security is being blasted online for an 'Alligator Alcatraz' meme it shared on X. The AI image shows a group of alligators sporting black ICE caps, stationed outside a prison-like facility with barbed wire fencing. DHS under fire for 'disgusting and mean' Alligator Alcatraz meme, 'Kristi Noem should be in jail for posting this' (REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin)(REUTERS) 'Coming soon!' the post is captioned. Alligator Alcatraz is an immigration detention center set to open in the Everglades, in Florida, next month. It is expected tohouse 5,000 people. The facility is estimated to cost $450 million a year to operate, The New York Times reported. James Uthmeier, the state's attorney general, said in a video released to social media earlier this month, 'You don't need to invest that much in the perimeter; if they can get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.' 'Disgusting and mean' The Department of Homeland Security's move to make a meme out of this subject has been harshly criticised on X. In the comment section of the post, one user wrote, 'This administration is doing good things, but the utter lack of seriousness of your comms team really sucks. No one takes you seriously with posts like this'. 'Kristi Noem should be in jail for posting this,' one user wrote, while another said, 'Sadism'. 'This is disgusting,' one user wrote, while another said, 'That's it — we've finally crossed the line. We're now accepting this kind of behavior from a government agency. As if the detention center being built wasn't already a disgrace in a civilized society, we're allowing a federal agency to mock and make light of a situation involving human lives. It doesn't matter whether you think these people are here legally or illegally — we're talking about the lives of fellow human beings. How can we call ourselves Christians while doing this and accepting this kind of behavior from a federal agency? The United States has become a joke.' 'Disgusting and mean. What a complete embarrassment. Stop with the post and do your job,' one user wrote.
