Romeo Ramos Cruzformer mayor of Santa Lucía CotzumalguapaEscuintlapleaded guilty this Monday before a court of USA of conspiring to traffic cocaine to that country, where he remains detained after being extradited in August 2025.
He United States Department of Justice reported that Ramos Cruz, of 58 yearsadmitted his responsibility in the crime of conspiracy to import more than five kilograms of cocainea charge that includes a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life sentence.
The sentencing hearing was scheduled for December 2 in federal court Washington.
Of according to court documents, The former mayor was part of 2022 and 2023 an organization dedicated to drug trafficking based in Guatemala, responsible for the transfer of cocaine shipments to the US market.
The American authorities They maintain that, during their municipal administration, among 2020 and 2024Ramos Cruz appointed a known drug trafficker to a senior position in the Municipal Police and used the powers of his position to coordinate the logistics and transportation of drug shipments destined for the United States.
According to the accusation, on one occasion he hid a shipment of cocaine from Venezuela by passing it off as a donation of cement for their municipality. In addition, he requested in writing that the shipment not be inspected by the Guatemalan authorities.
Ramos Cruz was captured in May 2025 during an operation carried out at kilometer 98.5 from the highway to Cerro Colorado, in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla. He later agreed to be extradited to the United States, where he faces criminal proceedings.
At the time of his arrest, the National Civil Police (PNC) He reported that a pickaxe, a pistol, a carbine, ammunition and a cell phone were seized.
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