The president of Guatemala, confirmed on Wednesday that he accepted the resignation of the Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, José Portillo, vice minister of Security and Claudia Palencia, vice minister of anti-narcotics and border security; after the members of the incident last August were made public. Among the fugitives are gang members accused of rape, murder, extortion and human trafficking. At the beginning of this week, the authorities had only captured one of this group.
Portillo resigned at midnight on Tuesday and filed four complaints against Jiménez and Palencia with the Public Ministry for alleged acts of corruption and other irregularities within that portfolio. In addition, he accused Palencia of illegal charges in prisons, according to statements he gave to local media.
On Sunday, the then director of the Penitentiary System reported at a press conference about the escape of 20 dangerous members of Barrio 18, among whom are some ringleaders who escaped from the Fraijanes II maximum security prison in August.
In a message transmitted through the Government’s social networks, Arévalo argued for the changes in the Government. “I have decided to make changes to the team in charge of security tasks. (…) For this reason, I have accepted the resignation of Francisco Jiménez from his position as Minister of the Interior. As well as that of the vice minister of anti-narcotics, Claudia Palencia, and the vice minister of security, José Portillo,” he reported.
Jiménez had said at a press conference on Monday that he rejected all accusations against him of possible negotiations with the gang members to give them freedom in exchange for reducing the crime rate and stated that he had no intention of leaving office because he did not want to leave this issue unresolved.
Arévalo, who was out of the country when the scandal occurred, assured that he will later announce who the new officials will be at the head of the Interior portfolio. During the message, he also said that a maximum security prison will be built with advice from the United States Government and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Barrio 18 was designated by the United States Department of State. At the beginning of this week, the authorities had only captured one of this group.
