in the program Direct Impactfrom Guatevisión, the theft of a bonsai that occurred on May 9 was analyzed. During the discussion, the panelists pointed out that justice in Guatemala is usually slow, so they doubted that the authorities would act quickly in the case, although they recognized that the act constitutes a crime.
Security camera images show how two men arrive on a motorcycle in front of the business where the tree was exposed to the sun. One of them descends, breaks the pot and takes the bonsai, which also damaged the roots.
Gustavo Ramírez, owner of the tree, explained that the bonsai, called “Connie,” was a jaboticaba of Brazilian origin that was almost 50 years old and had sentimental value for his family.
“We found Connie in a nursery. It was already a large tree, we estimated it was about 40 years old when we found it and there we began the process to turn it into a bonsai,” Ramírez said.
He added that for more than six years he worked with his daughter in the care and training of the tree. “It was a very valuable memory for me,” he said.
According to Ramírez, the robbery occurred between 10 and 10:30 a.m. on May 9. “Two motorists came, one stayed waiting on the road and the other climbed the tree, broke the pot and took the bare root tree in his hands,” he stated.
The owner indicated that the bonsai was valued at more than Q25 thousand and asked for help to locate it. “We hope that the authorities carry out the corresponding investigation and find those responsible, and we hope to find the tree still alive,” he said.
During the program, panelist Jairón Salguero commented: “If there are unsolved crimes, the authorities are not going to worry about a bonsai.” Another added: “Justice is totally slow. And if the case is high-profile, the Public Ministry investigates.”
Commenters also noted that security cameras could help identify those responsible, since the men did not hide their faces.
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