The 48 Cantons of Totonicapán expressed their “deep concern, indignation and rejection” at recent events that, according to authorities of that organization, violate the peace and tranquility of the population.
They indicated that “it is the constitutional duty of the State”, through its institutions, to guarantee the life, security and justice of all the inhabitants of the country.
They highlighted that the recent escape of a prisoner from the Preventive Center for Men in the city of Totonicapán “evidence a serious and unacceptable weakness, lack of control and alleged negligence” in the prison custody and security protocols.
In that sense, they demand that the departmental governor of Totonicapán, as a representative of the Executive, “immediately assume his leadership role in security matters, coordinating real and effective contingency plans.”
They requested the National Civil Police (PNC) and the Penitentiary System to immediately capture the fugitive inmate, as well as an urgent restructuring of surveillance and patrol strategies throughout the municipality and department.
They demand from the Public Ministry and other competent authorities an exhaustive, transparent and rigorous investigation to deduce criminal and administrative responsibilities against the personnel who were on duty and any authority who, by action or omission, has facilitated the evasion of justice by the inmate.
“The 48 Cantons declare ourselves in a state of alert and permanent assembly. We remind the authorities that the town of Totonicapán is a peaceful, but organized town,” they stressed.
They warned that, if they do not see concrete, immediate and effective actions that return certainty of security to their communities, they reserve the right to take measures and actions protected by Customary Law to protect order and justice in their territory.
The deputy commissioner of the PNC, Ovidio Salvador Hernández Ramírez, reported that on June 9, at around 8 p.m., they received a complaint about a person who was causing a scandal in a village, so residents asked the PNC for help.
The captured person was identified as Melvin “N”, 33 years old, who, according to the data, had a current arrest warrant for the crime of homicide, issued by a court in Chiquimula.
He indicated that on June 17, the guard in charge of custody noticed the escape and gave the alert. Given what happened, agents carried out a thorough inspection in the prison and in the urban area of Totonicapán, but the escapee has not been located.
He added that the Public Ministry has already processed the scene where the escape occurred. In addition, the agent who was in charge of custody has already been placed at the disposal of a court.
He stated that they reorganized the security scheme at the Totonicapán Preventive Center and increased surveillance personnel.
There is also a nationwide alert to identify the whereabouts of the escapee.
The deputy commissioner indicated that the aforementioned prison does not have surveillance cameras.
He stated that community mayors from four areas have requested information about the leak.
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