GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The head of Guatemala’s prosecutor for crimes against migrants, Stuardo Campos, was detained by police following a complaint alleging abuse of authority related to his previous job as an anti-corruption prosecutor.
Campos, who investigated acts of corruption in the administration of former President Jimmy Morales (2016-2020), was brought before a judge in handcuffs, according to court images. Campos said the complaint was filed by the Foundation Against Terrorism, a radical right-wing organization that defends those accused of corruption and soldiers accused of war crimes.
“It is a spurious complaint,” Campos said. “I know that the exercise of my position as an anti-corruption prosecutor made me earn a lot of animosity with many sectors.” He added that he hoped to resolve his legal situation. The Prosecutor’s Office did not report the arrest or offer any details.
Campos is known for his investigation in the case called “Libramiento de Chimaltenango”, where several government officials of former President Morales were arrested for acts of corruption in the construction of a million-dollar stretch of highway that constantly causes landslides and problems due to poor construction.
Meanwhile, as head of the prosecutor’s office against crimes against migrants, Campos dismantled human trafficking structures and for the first time four defendants for these crimes were extradited to the United States to face trials.
