ARREST OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF NETWORK OF PASSPORT FORGERS

Guatemala, January 22, 2014. The National Civil Police (PNC), with the support of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and CICIG, arrested Julio César de Paz Machuca (former employee of the National Registry of Persons [RENAP]) in Santa Lucía Cotzumalguapa, Escuintla, for his alleged participation in a criminal organization that illegally facilitated temporary residence for citizens of diverse nationalities as well as enabling them to enter and depart Guatemala with illegally‑issued Guatemalan passports.

Paz Machuca is charged with abuse of authority, falsification of documents, falsification of facts and criminal association. With this latest operation, the total number of arrested members of this criminal network rises to 22.

On January 17, the authorities arrested 21 individuals—including officials of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) and the National Registry of Persons (RENAP) and intermediary agents—who are currently awaiting their initial appearance before High-Risk Trial Court B.

In this case, José Alberto de León Gramajo (Head of the passport delegation of the DGM Passport Issuing Authorities), and José Antonio Samayoa Cano (former representative of the Corporación Inmobiliaria La Luz S.A.), and Mirna María de Los Ángeles Rivas Gramajo (former DGM delegate) are already being prosecuted. They were all arrested in August 2013.