The Public Ministry (MP) reported that it is keeping the events that occurred during the horse parade held on June 27 in San Pedro Soloma, Huehuetenango, and the subsequent tour of a group of armed people through that municipality, after videos spread on social networks showed several men carrying rifles and other firearms while traveling in a caravan of vehicles.
The Prosecutor’s Office indicated that the case is in charge of the San Pedro Soloma Fiscal Agency, which opened an investigation for the alleged ostentatious carrying of a firearm. As part of the proceedings, the MP analyzes the videos and other evidence to establish whether a crime was committed and determine the corresponding responsibilities.
According to the investigating entity, the video surveillance recordings of a gas station were also verified and an operation related to the events was subsequently implemented.
“An operation was implemented during the equestrian parade of the titular fair, in which the armed people were identified and it was found that both they and the weapons were solvent, so only recommendations were made to them to avoid the ostentatious carrying of firearms,” reported the MP.
He added that the case remains under investigation and that it is planned to “refer the proceedings to the corresponding court.”
In addition, he explained that a report from the General Directorate of Arms and Ammunition Control (DIGECAM) is pending to verify the weapons registered in the name of the accused.
The equestrian parade in San Pedro Soloma
The videos began to circulate on the night of June 27, at the end of the equestrian parade of the San Pedro Soloma fair. In the images you can see a caravan of vehicles with armed men carrying rifles and other long weapons. During the activity, armed men were also seen accompanying some parade participants.
The National Civil Police (PNC) later reported that it identified several of the people who appear in the videos through analysis of the recordings and other investigative measures.
According to the PNC, among those identified are Antonio Soza, whom investigators point out as the alleged leader of a criminal structure that operates in Escuintla, and another man identified with the alias “Durango.” According to the institution, both have open investigations for different events, although they do not have current arrest warrants.
On July 3, the general director of the PNC, David Custodio Boteo, indicated that the results of the police investigation were transferred to the Public Ministry to continue with the proceedings and determine the corresponding responsibilities.