From the closing of access with a cluster of sand to the placement of banners and mandatory reviews of the neighbors, the conflict persists in the lotification of Jardines de Santiago Sacatepéquezwhere a group has firmly opposed to the arrival of minors rescued from Lev Tahor Group.
Residents maintain divided opinions about housing that was readjusted to serve as a temporary home.
The Ministry of Social Welfare (SBS) He confirmed that, although the property was an option to transfer the children, the decision was revalue after the rejection that the community said.
The protest intensified the February 26, 2025when an dissatisfied group blocked access to the place and refused to allow the arrival of minors. His main argument was the fear of possible altercations.
Given the pressure exerted, the head of the SBS, Marvin RabanalesHe explained that the house had been considered a possible space to function as a state home. However, before the opposition of the neighbors, The entity decided to rule out the transfer.
Social communication of the institution reported that minors will be welcomed in other centers, without specifying locations for security reasons.
“They are vulnerable children, not a threat”
Ana Rita Sánchezowner of the house in Santiago Sacatepéquez, lamented the rejection that was generated around minors. He explained that the property had been adapted to house children under five and babies, after the SBS asked for the space.
“He was not even planned, they simply approached me through another person and they made me the request. I was very joy to be able to help, because in the end they are children and babies in vulnerable situation,” said Sánchez.
In his opinion, it is not a credible threat that a group of children of that age can cause disturbances.
He stressed that some of them were born in Guatemala and that, in some cases, their mothers are also minors, victims of forced marriages linked to the criminal case that remains under investigation.
“We made the necessary changes for housing to be safe and adequate. They are young children, even many born here,” he added.
In addition, he questioned the role of society in situations like this. “We demand that the State fulfill its obligation, but it also corresponds to us to support what is possible,” he said.
Opposition and blockages
The rejection of the neighbors intensified progressively in the period of two weeks. In community meetings they expressed discontent and, subsequently, took stricter measures to restrict access to lotification.
On February 26, 2025, in addition to placing banners against the shelter, a truck downloaded a cluster of sand at the main entrance to block the passage.
“They come to disturb our peace … It is not correct that they only want to impose it”said a neighbor who preferred not to identify.
According to residents, the disagreement arose from the lack of official information about the transfer of the 27 children.
However, the SBS clarified that the transfer was never specified and that the process only consisted of the inspection and evaluation of the house to verify if it met the necessary requirements.
“We have realized that where this sect has been, there have been riots and abuses. We know that when these people enter, peace in our homes will be interrupted”another neighbor exclaimed.
Given these statements, the SBS called to avoid the dissemination of inaccurate information about the purpose of the home, and warned that this could promote discrimination against minors and prolong their vulnerability situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izmjmaokxmm
Child protection: a state duty
The protection of childhood and adolescence is a state responsibility. The SBS has the legal mandate to provide refuge to minors at risk, he explained Jorge Monroyspecialized in law and professor at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC).
The academic recalled that the coat measure is known as the last ratio, that is, it is the last resort and applies when options such as the extended family or host families have been exhausted.
“The State must guarantee the health, integrity and life of these minors, according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Law on Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents. Not doing so entails important sanctions for Guatemala, “Monroy warned.
In addition, he pointed out that opposing this protection could constitute discriminatory and revictimizing action: “The State must guarantee the protection of both national and migrants. We cannot separate ourselves from the spirit of the regulations.”
The Lev Tahor case in Guatemala
At the end of 2024, the Guatemalan State carried out a Rescue operation in which 160 children were extracted from the settlement of the Lev Tahor Group, considered as a sect by the authorities.
The Public Ministry (MP) justified the intervention under suspicions of multiple crimes, including Trafficking in people in the forced pregnancy modality, abuse against minors and violation.
This is not an isolated case. The group has also been indicated in Mexico and Canada, countries where they tried to establish themselves without success.
According to Israeli media and others who have investigated the behavior of Lev Tahor, the group has migrated for more than three decades, allegedly to evade controls and avoid monitoring their leaders, indicated of abuse and child abuse.
However, Lev Tahor argues that his displacement responds to a religious persecution and ignorance of his beliefs, practices and vision of life.
The group was founded on Jerusalem In 1988 by the Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans And his name in Hebrew means “Pure heart.”