Latest news with #GuatemalaCity
Associated Press
2 days ago
- General
- Associated Press
Guatemalan court orders arrests of Colombian officials who led a UN anti-corruption mission
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A Guatemalan court ordered Monday the arrests of Colombia's attorney general and a former Colombian defense minister who led a U.N. anti-corruption mission in Guatemala. Guatemalan prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, who himself has been sanctioned by the United States and other countries for allegedly interfering in corruption investigations, had requested that an appeals court issue the arrest orders for Colombia's top prosecutor Luz Adriana Camargo Garzón, who was the chief of investigations of the Guatemala mission, and Iván Velásquez, who had led the mission and later was Colombia's defense minister. Curruchiche said Camargo and Velásquez had committed illicit association during their investigation into bribes paid to Guatemalan officials by Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht. Along with former Guatemalan prosecutors working with the U.N. mission, Velásquez and Camargo were part of 'a criminal structure led by the former CICIG commissioner,' using the Spanish initials of the U.N. mission, Curruchiche alleged. Curruchiche had long ago focused his investigation on an agreement the anti-corruption prosecutors had signed with Odebrecht that would offer reduced penalties in exchange for the company's cooperation in the investigation. His boss, Prosecutor General Consuelo Porras, has also been sanctioned by the U.S. and other governments for blocking corruption investigations. Last week, a U.N. expert warned her office was using criminal law to pursue enemies. Velásquez responded via X after learning of the accusations. 'So now the corrupt Guatemalan attorney general and her prosecutor Curruchiche – designated as corrupt and sanctioned by the United States and the European Union – extend their persecution for Luz Adriana Camargo and me,' Velásquez wrote. 'My solidarity with the former officials and so many Guatemalan citizens who the Attorney General's Office has forced into exile.' Camargo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Among those former Guatemalan prosecutors forced into exile was Juan Francisco Sandoval, who led the special prosecutor's office against impunity. Sandoval, who led the Odebrecht investigation with support from the U.N. mission and has been living in exile in the United States, said last month in a statement that Curruchiche's investigation was 'a sham and a manipulation strategy.' The U.N. mission operated in Guatemala from 2007 to 2019, when then-President Jimmy Morales decided to not renew its mandate, after it linked members of his family to a case. It had worked with Guatemalan prosecutors to take down criminal structures in the country, sending judges, prosecutors, other public officials, including former presidents to trial for corruption. ___ AP reporter Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia contributed to this report.
Reuters
5 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Guatemalan ex-paramilitaries sentenced to 40 years each in Maya Achi rape trial
GUATEMALA CITY, May 30 (Reuters) - A top Guatemalan court on Friday sentenced three former paramilitaries each to 40 years in prison after they were found guilty of raping six Indigenous women between 1981 and 1983, the bloodiest period of the Central American nation's civil war. The trial against the former members of the so-called Civil Self-Defense Patrol, armed groups recruited by the army, began four months ago. "The soldiers arrived late at night, threw me onto the ground and raped me," Paulina Ixpata, a Maya Achi woman, said during the trial, recounting how she was held for 25 days by the military patrol. "That's how the whole night went." This is the second trial in the so-called Maya Achi case, and follows reports of sexual violence filed between 2011 and 2015 by 36 victims against former military personnel, military commissioners and civilian self-defense patrol members. The first trial, which took place in January 2022, saw five former patrol members sentenced to 30 years in prison. They remain incarcerated. In 2016, a Guatemalan court sentenced former two military officers for holding 15 women from the Q'eqchi community, who are also of Maya origin, as sex slaves at the Sepur Zarco military base, a landmark case that marked the first convictions in Guatemala of military officers for wartime rape. Both officers were sentenced to a combined 360 years in prison, where they remain incarcerated. The court also stipulated a reparations program, whose progress remains limited despite advocacy by the 15 women who were at the trial, known as the "Grandmothers of Sepur Zarco."
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
UN expert says Guatemalan prosecutor's office using criminal law to pursue opponents
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — A United Nations expert warned Friday at the conclusion of her two-week visit that Guatemala's prosecutor's office is increasingly using criminal law against former prosecutors , judges , defense attorneys , journalists and others. Margaret Satterthwaite, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, traveled the country meeting with judges, lawyers, lawmakers and others, including Guatemala's chief prosecutor. 'The instrumental use of criminal law by the Prosecutor General's Office appears to amount to a systematic pattern of intentional and severe deprivation of fundamental rights, targeted at specific groups,' Satterthwaite wrote in her preliminary report. 'This persecution appears to be intensifying, as those who have sought to end impunity and corruption, defend human rights, or speak out against abuses of power increasingly face digital harassment, threats, and criminal charges.' The office is led by Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by the United States and other countries and accused of being an obstacle to corruption investigations. Satterthwaite met with Porras and her staff. They told Satterthwaite that they acted within the law, denied using criminal law to pursue opponents and said they were the real victims of attacks by the executive branch and its allies, the U.N. expert said. 'Criminal charges have been directed at more than 60 justice operators and defense or human rights lawyers,' Satterthwaite said, noting that more than 50 'justice operators' have been forced into exile by the prosecutor's office. Porras' office said later that it did not agree with Satterthwaite's preliminary report, because it did not reflect 'the complex work that we do, nor the exhaustive information that was provided.' 'We energetically reject the idea of a 'criminalization of sectors,'' the office said. 'Our actions are based on serious, objective investigations that strictly adhere to the Guatemalan legal framework.' President Bernardo Arévalo has tried unsuccessfully to convince Porras to step down . His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Satterthwaite's observations.
Travel Daily News
16-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Avianca connects South Florida to Guatemala and Nicaragua
With the launch of the new routes from San José – Guatemala City – Miami and San Salvador – Managua – Fort Lauderdale, Avianca aims to further strengthen connectivity options between South Florida and Central America for travelers. MIAMI – Avianca announces operations on two new routes in Florida, connecting Miami with Guatemala City and San José, Costa Rica, and Fort Lauderdale with Managua and San Salvador, respectively. These two new routes will enhance connectivity between South Florida and Central America, offering travelers more opportunities to explore the region. 'The United States and Latin America are closely connected through tourism and business. In 2024 alone, we transported more than 4 million passengers to and from the U.S.,' said Otto Gergye, Chief Commercial Officer at Avianca. 'With these new nonstop routes, we aim to further strengthen these ties by expanding our network to more than 40 direct routes between the U.S. and Latin America,' he added.
Travel Daily News
06-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Air Canada expands its schedule to Latin America this Winter
Air Canada expands Winter 2025-26 Latin America network with 16% more seats, new destinations, routes, and increased sun-season frequencies. MONTREAL – Air Canada announced its winter sun schedule, reflecting its largest network expansion to Latin America to date with 16 per cent more seat capacity over last winter. Highlights of the carrier's exciting new services for the Winter 2025-26 season include new destinations to Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City, and Guadalajara. As well, 13 new routes including to Santiago, Pointe-a-Pitre, Fort-de-France, Nassau, Montego Bay, and Huatulco are being introduced, along with additional frequencies to popular vacation destinations. In total, with over 55 daily flights and more than 80,000 seats weekly, Air Canada will offer the most comprehensive offering of any Canadian carrier flying to Latin America. All flights are now available for sale at through Air Canada Contact Centres and via travel agents. 'Air Canada is delivering on its New Frontiers strategy with the expansion of its Latin America presence this winter. We are excited to be adding Rio de Janeiro, Cartagena, Guatemala City and Guadalajara to our global network, and increasing service to Santiago with new flights from Montreal. Our Latin America winter schedule has been built to serve both Canadian and global Sixth Freedom connecting travellers, as well as capitalize on growing cargo opportunities,' said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada. 'We are also very pleased to add new winter routes from Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa and Vancouver, to the Bahamas, Jamaica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Mexico, and increase capacity to popular sun vacation destinations.' 'With the breadth and depth of Air Canada's network, our upcoming winter schedule offers a multitude of travel options for customers wherever they are. Whether people are connecting from Europe to Santiago, Guatemala and Guadalajara, Canadians looking to visit sunny climates, or travellers interested in exploring new adventures anywhere on the six continents we fly to, customers can plan and book their winter travels now. We look forward to welcoming you onboard our flights,' concluded Mr. Galardo. Air Canada's new South America routes: Flight From To Depart Arrive Days of Operation Season AC84 Toronto (YYZ) Rio de Janeiro (GIG) 23:30 10:45 +1 day Tue, Thu, Sat Dec. 4, 2025 – Mar. 28, 2026 AC85 Rio de Janeiro (GIG) Toronto (YYZ) 21:30 07:00 +1 day Wed, Fri, Sun Dec. 5, 2025 – Mar. 29, 2026 AC936 Toronto (YYZ) Cartagena (CTG) 08:15 13:40 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 AC937 Cartagena (CTG) Toronto (YYZ) 14:40 20:25 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 AC52 Montreal (YUL) Santiago (SCL) 17:50 07:00 +1 day Tue, Thu, Sat Dec. 16, 2025 – Feb. 27, 2026 AC53 Santiago (SCL) Montreal (YUL) 08:35 17:45 Wed, Fri, Sun Dec. 17, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026 AC1388 Montreal (YUL) Cartagena (CTG) 08:15 14:00 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 AC1389 Cartagena (CTG) Montreal (YUL) 15:00 20:25 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 Marcelo Freixo, President of Embratur – Brazilian Tourism Board, said, 'Rio de Janeiro is one of those unique places in the world where you can go hiking, swim in the ocean, experience the rich Afro-Brazilian culture, admire breathtaking landscapes, and enjoy an authentic and diverse gastronomy. The relaunch of this route meets a growing demand from Canadian travellers for genuine and sustainable experiences. That is why we remain committed to working in partnership to strengthen this and many other connections between Brazil and Canada.' Air Canada's new Central America, Caribbean and Mexico routes: Flight From To Depart Arrive Days of Operation Season AC1368 Montreal (YUL) Guatemala City (GUA) 17:35 22:30 Thu, Sat Oct. 2, 2025 – April 25, 2026 AC1369 Guatemala City (GUA) Montreal (YUL) 10:50 16:50 Fri, Sun Oct. 3, 2025 – April 26, 2026 AC960 Quebec (YQB) Fort-de-France (FDF) 09:35 15:45 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 26, 2026 AC961 Fort-de-France (FDF) Quebec (YQB) 16:45 21:20 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 26, 2026 AC946 Toronto (YYZ) Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) 08:15 14:10 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 AC953 Pointe-à-Pitre (PTP) Toronto (YYZ) 15:10 19:40 Sat Dec. 20, 2025 – Apr. 11, 2026 AC1360 Toronto (YYZ) Guadalajara (GDL) 16:45 21:10 Tue, Thu, Sat Nov. 04, 2025 – Apr. 28, 2026 AC1361 Guadalajara (GDL) Toronto (YYZ) 08:30 14:05 Wed, Fri, Sun Nov. 05, 2025 – Apr. 29, 2026 AC1270 Ottawa (YOW) Nassau (NAS) 07:15 11:05 Fri Dec. 5, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026 AC1271 Nassau (NAS) Ottawa (YOW) 12:15 15:40 Fri Dec. 5, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026 AC1274 Ottawa (YOW) Montego Bay (MBJ) 08:30 13:15 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 12, 2026 AC1275 Montego Bay (MBJ) Ottawa (YOW) 14:25 18:40 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 12, 2026 AC1290 Halifax (YHZ) Nassau (NAS) 17:10 20:20 Fri Dec. 5, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026 AC1289 Nassau (NAS) Halifax (YHZ) 21:20 02:00 +1 day Fri Dec. 5, 2025 – Apr. 10, 2026 AC1278 Halifax (YHZ) Montego Bay (MBJ) 09:25 13:30 Thu Dec. 4, 2025 – Apr. 9, 2026 AC1279 Montego Bay (MBJ) Halifax (YHZ) 14:30 20:00 Thu Dec. 4, 2025 – Apr. 9, 2026 AC980 Vancouver (YVR) Huatulco (HUX) 08:30 16:35 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 12, 2026 AC981 Huatulco (HUX) Vancouver (YVR) 17:35 22:15 Sun Dec. 7, 2025 – Apr. 12, 2026 Additional capacity: Route Increase during peak periods Toronto – Los Cabos 2 additional weekly flights; up to daily flights Toronto – Nassau 5 additional weekly flights; up to 12 weekly flights Toronto – Montego Bay 3 additional flights; up to 10 weekly flights Toronto – Monterrey Extended from summer season; 4 weekly flights Toronto – St. Maarten 1 additional flight; up to 5 weekly flights Montreal – Punta Cana 1 additional daily flight; up to 3 daily flights Montreal – St. Maarten 2 additional flights; up to 4 weekly flights Montreal – Montego Bay 1 additional flight; up to 4 weekly flights Vancouver – Los Cabos 1 additional flight; up to 5 weekly flights Vancouver – Puerto Vallarta 1 additional flight; up to daily flights
