Guatemalan police raided five regional offices of British aid agency Save the Children on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged child abuse.
In April, prosecutors asked U.S. authorities for information about the group’s alleged involvement in smuggling children across the border, according to local media reports.
Save the Children said it was “aware of the office’s activities” and denied prosecutors’ allegations.
The prosecutor in charge of the case, Rafael Curruchiche, and the country’s attorney general, Consuelo Porras, have previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for attacks on democracy.
Kuruchish said search operations were being carried out in different parts of the country as part of a “very important cross-border investigation”. Video statement about X.
The prosecutor did not name the organization in his statement, but a spokesman for his office confirmed to AFP that the office raided was that of Save the Children.
Save the Children said in a statement to the BBC that it was cooperating with authorities but had “never assisted in the transfer of any children or young people out of Guatemala”.
“Following previous allegations against our organization this year, no evidence of wrongdoing has been found,” the organization added.
Earlier this year, the aid group said it was “shocked and confused” that its headquarters was raided in connection with the same case.
Just days ago, Ángel Pineda, secretary-general of Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Affairs, sent a letter to Texas authorities asking for support in investigating aid groups including Save the Children for their “possible involvement in child trafficking.” accusations.
It was unclear whether Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded to the request.
Both Pineda and Kuruciche have previously been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, accused of trying to undermine the country’s democracy. The prosecutor’s office denied the accusations, local media reported.
The prosecutor’s office is also said to be trying to prevent President Bernardo Arevalo, who campaigned on an anti-corruption message and is critical of the country’s judicial system, from taking office earlier this year.
Guatemala Attorney General Consuelo Porras Banned from entering the United States in 2022 The U.S. State Department said she “repeatedly obstructed and undermined anti-corruption investigations in Guatemala.” Porras denied the claim.
Save the Children began operating in Guatemala after the 1976 earthquake in the country.
It added that “we will continue to work hard to uphold children’s rights and maintain the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding in all our projects, as we have always done”.
