The Government of Guatemala has communicated the beginning of a "deep review" of the structure and functioning of the National Civil Police (PNC), following the controversy generated by the detention of two delivery brothers in the context of the investigation into the murder of former prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa. Both were subsequently released and reported that the agents who arrested them would have placed a rifle on them.
In an official statement, the Ministry of the Interior explained that, "in light of the events that occurred during the last few days, and in fulfillment of our responsibility to guarantee the safety of Guatemalans, it has been determined to initiate a process of deep review of the structure, leadership, and functioning of the National Civil Police."
According to the note disseminated by the Interior portfolio, the evaluation will cover "the different levels of command, operational procedures, and institutional supervision and control mechanisms," with the declared objective of identifying "the necessary measures to strengthen the performance and response capacity of the police institution."
The Ministry of the Interior, which "considers that the current circumstances demand firm and responsible decisions," has also advanced that "administrative and organizational measures will be adopted as appropriate, in accordance with the law and based on the results of these evaluations."
Likewise, the authorities have indicated that "in the coming days we will inform the population about the results of this process and the decisions that are made," insisting on their "commitment to a professional, transparent, and effective police institution, which acts in strict adherence to legality and responds to the security needs of Guatemalans." This commitment, the Ministry has emphasized, "requires evaluating, strengthening, and continuously improving" security institutions.
The pronouncement comes a day after the head of the portfolio, Marco Antonio Villeda, stated to the media that heads may "roll" if the investigation ordered by President Bernardo Arévalo regarding the police action in the aforementioned detention confirms the allegations made by the two arrested.