Guatemala's Public Prosecutor's Office backs the United States' terrorist designations against the criminal structures of Los Lorenzana, Los Huistas, and Los Mendonza

Guatemala's Public Ministry backed the designation of Los Lorenzana, Los Huistas, and Los Mendoza as terrorist organizations by the United States. (Illustrative image Infobae) Guatemala's Public Ministry on Friday backed the designation of the Lorenzana, Huistas, and Mendoza organizations as terrorist organizations by the United States, a measure linked to their alleged ties with Mexican cartels and the transport of illicit drugs to finance criminal activities. The prosecutor's office maintained that drug trafficking, financing, and protection networks must be confronted "with firmness, coordination, and international cooperation." Guatemala's coordination with Washington allowed for the capture of 41 people requested in extradition during this year, most for drug trafficking charges, and the dismantling of 58 criminal gangs, according to President Bernardo Arévalo. The president presented these results as part of ongoing work between the two countries. Through its social media, the Guatemalan institution reaffirmed its commitment to investigate and criminally prosecute those who belong to, finance, or facilitate the three structures. It also stated that protecting the population and combating the penetration of organized crime into institutions require acting "without distinctions or privileges, with strict adherence to the law." A publication by Guatemala's Public Ministry endorses a statement attributed to the U.S. Department of State regarding sanctions on criminal organizations. (Public Ministry of Guatemala) The United States applied two types of designations against the groups in question. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that "these three Guatemalan groups have close ties with Mexican cartels and help transport and export illicit drugs to finance terrorism and criminal activity." The Department of State classified Los Lorenzana as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, a category aimed at individuals or entities linked to terrorist activities. The U.S. department justified the dual designation by the "numerous acts of violence against civilians, government officials, and military forces" attributed to the clan. The Department of the Treasury added Los Huistas and Los Mendoza to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist category for providing material support to Mexican cartels that had already been sanctioned by Washington. The Office of Foreign Assets Control linked Los Huistas to the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, while it linked Los Mendoza to the Sinaloa cartel. The measures involve the blocking of assets and property interests of the sanctioned parties that are under U.S. jurisdiction. They also prohibit, with exceptions, U.S. citizens from conducting transactions with these organizations. The Public Ministry proposed that the bilateral relationship should translate into actions to dismantle criminal networks. The institution reiterated that, within its competencies, it seeks to strengthen that joint effort in favor of the security and justice of both countries. The prosecutor's office's statement came one day after Arévalo linked the designations to the existing security agreements between Guatemala and the United States. During his weekly press conference, the president indicated that the decision occurred in the context of a recent visit by the attorney general to Washington. Arévalo maintained that operational cooperation with U.S. agencies has multiplied and strengthened since the Public Ministry ceased to be "co-opted by corruption." The assistance, he detailed, includes training for prosecutors and specialized units, renewal of operational and border equipment, and intelligence sharing. The president also mentioned the arrival in Guatemala of 14 prosecutors from various U.S. districts a month ago. He considered that presence to be unusual within U.S. diplomatic practice. The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala stated on the social network X that the Office of Foreign Assets Control "has taken action against the narcoterrorists who destabilize the Western Hemisphere." Arévalo also cited a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice which, he recounted, defines Guatemala as "one of our great allies in the fight against drug trafficking." The new classification did not alter the existing cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, according to Arévalo. Guatemala and the United States maintain signed agreements, operational channels with the FBI, and meetings between the Guatemalan Defense Minister and U.S. Southern Command.