He case of a two month old babywhose death by blows and lacerations and for which his parents were captured in Mixco accused of patricide, it is not an isolated event.
For the organization Institutional Coordinator for Promotion of Children’s Rights (Ciprodeni)dedicated to the defense of children, is part of a problem that continues to affect thousands of minors in Guatemala and is reflected in the 28,420 rights violations attended to by the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) during the first half of 2026.
The data, assures Ruiz, not only show the dimension of the problem, who recognizes progress in strengthening the institutional response of the PGN, but warns that the figures must be analyzed beyond the number of registered files.
“As a State we still need a lot to provide a comprehensive response to the problems of girls, boys and adolescents,” he stated in an interview.
In his opinion, one of the main factors that explains why these violations continue to occur is that a view still prevails in which minors They are seen as an extension of adult authority and not as people with their own rights.
“It is very difficult for parents to recognize that, although they have that guardianship, children do not belong to us as adults”he expressed.
Ruiz pointed out that this perception also influences many attacks to remain hidden, since victims are usually questioned when they report what happened.
“Many times they are not believed or questioned when a boy or girl says that they are suffering some type of abuse or some situation at home,” held.
He even warned that violence usually originates in the environment where there should be greater protection.
“We have confirmed on several occasions that the family nucleus, the first nucleus of protection for every girl, boy and adolescent, is the first where their rights begin to be violated”he stated.
Violence that continues to be repeated
From the experience of CiprodeniRuiz explained that the most frequent violations continue to be the sexual violence, abandonment and violent deathsproblems that, according to what he indicated, have maintained similar patterns for several years.
In the case of sexual violence, he assured that it continues to be one of the main concerns because it continues to be normalized in different spaces of society and many times it occurs within the family environment.
“Sexual violence is still a very normalized problem within Guatemalan society”he indicated.
He added that this normalization also influences the low credibility that many complaints receive presented by girls and adolescents, which makes it difficult to break the cycles of violence.
Regarding abandonment, he explained that this not only implies leaving a minor without care, but also the constant lack of attention, protection and supportconditions that They can lead to other forms of violation.
Regarding the violent deaths of adolescents, he pointed out that many are related to the gang recruitment and organized crime structures.
Beyond the institutional response
According to the PGN, the abuse It remains the main cause of violation of the rights of girls, boys and adolescents. The institution estimates that, if the trend continues, This year will close with more cases than in 2025.
Furthermore, he indicated that 1,523 girls, boys and adolescents They remain under a temporary and exceptional protection measure ordered by a judge, while the rest receive care within their family environment or through programs aimed at the restitution of their rights.
Ruiz recognized the institution’s effort to strengthen its response capacity, although he insisted that the figures should serve to promote a broader reflection on the protection of children.
“Guatemala’s problem continues to be not considering girls and boys as subjects of rights,” he concluded.