On the central campus of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Usac), zone 12 of the capital, in-person classes have been suspended since April 6. Admission for students is authorized only for those who carry out laboratory practices in faculties such as Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine.
By order of the Higher University Council (CSU) the virtuality was implemented with the argument of the beginning of work related to the construction of a viaduct and a parking tower within university facilities; However, both projects lack an environmental license, so they cannot be carried out. If the institution wants to execute them, it must start the procedures again.
Patricia Orantes, head of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Marn), indicated that, after the announcement of the closure of the campus to begin said work, in days that coincided with the election of the rector, it was identified that last year USAC obtained a license for the “University Campus Expansion Viaduct of the Periférico Universitario Acceso Norte” under arguments that do not coincide with a real environmental impactand the documentation had to be returned so that it had “more technical robustness.” This did not happen.
To build the viaduct you have to remove 21 thousand cubic meters of earthwhich is why it is classified as an underground road infrastructure project, with a medium-high environmental impact; However, the license granted was of a low-medium level.
In addition, hydrological and geological studies are required to establish that there are no subsidence in the land.
Orantes pointed out that the “license should never have become legal” and that is why it was canceled last April 17which was notified to USAC on April 20.
“Granting a license in a lower category puts the environment at risk, and that can be a crime of breach of duties,” said the minister, and the corresponding complaints were filed in the Public Ministry (MP) against the people who endorsed the procedure: Osvaldo Morales, environmental advisor, and Melvin Navarro, director of Environmental Management.
More parking
In relation to the “Parking Tower University Campus Expansion” project, USAC did not obtain the environmental impact license. The official indicated that it was denied because the report did not meet the necessary requirements.
“It was very weak and it was not possible to justify it, with the technical arguments it brought, so we returned to them to ask them to strengthen it,” said Orantes.
The official indicated that, without the environmental impact license, the two projects for which the CSU justified the closure of the central campus cannot be carried out, and that There is no excuse for the campus to be closed.because there is not even work begun.
“Today, these projects are not authorized to be implemented until they obtain their environmental permit. For this to happen, they have to re-document all the studies and strengthen them. They have to re-introduce a request to review their environmental impact assessment for each one.”
Patricia Orantes, Minister of the Environment
He added that “solid” technical studies must be presented so that Marn can justify its viability.
“Environmental licenses are not a procedure, they are not a piece of paper; they are a contract that comes to life supported by environmental legislation, which contains environmental commitments that must be met by whoever builds the project and whoever is going to operate it, to ensure that it will not have environmental impacts,” he added.
In Marn there are no more environmental licenses in process for other projects within the university campus.
In Orantes’ opinion, if the USAC authorities decide to carry out the work without the respective licenses, they would be failing to comply with environmental regulations, which would would have legal implications.
archaeological project
On the central campus, it was also planned to develop an archaeological research and rescue project as part of an agreement between USAC and the Ministry of Culture and Sports (Micude), through the General Directorate of Cultural and Natural Heritage.
There was no set date to start the work, as reported on March 27 by the former Minister of Culture and Sports, Liwy Grazioso. He indicated that instructions were issued for the work to begin in the days following the election of the rector.
🚨The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources cancels the environmental license of the USAC Vicaducto project, for having been granted under a category of environmental impact lower than that corresponding to it according to the regulations. pic.twitter.com/7pC1uhj6wl
— Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources 🌳 (@marnguate) April 20, 2026
This April 20, in a joint statement with the Marn, the Micude reported that they proceeded to notify the termination of the Archaeological Research and Rescue Agreement 04-2026 because “it does not meet the legal requirements to be executed.”
In a summons this April 22 with Congressman José Chic, the new head of the portfolio, Luis Méndez Salinas, indicated that a “malicious action” is observed on the part of those who are managing the project, by using for political purposes, and as an excuse, the function that the State has to protect Guatemalan heritage.
He pointed out that it is necessary to review the regulations corresponding to the procedures for permits for archaeological research, salvage and rescue projects, in order to organize or reform them, since there are many “gaps” that give rise to problems such as the one currently presented in the university city.
The Sancarlista students have demonstrated against the restrictions on entry to the central campus and the suspension of face-to-face classeswhich at the beginning was indicated would be for about four months; However, despite the paralysis of the construction projects of the viaduct and the parking tower, the date to leave virtuality is uncertain.