untitled design

Guatemala: President proposes drastic increase in sentences for traffickers

Guatemalan President Alejandro Yamatei presented to Congress yesterday an initiative to drastically increase the sentences for traffickers, with sentences of up to 30 years in prison.

For many years, Guatemala has been a key passage for impoverished Central American immigrants – including its own citizens – who make a perilous journey across Mexico to the United States in search of a better life.

However, the Guatemalan government has sought to crack down on human trafficking gangs following the deaths of dozens of migrants in high-profile cases, who were either stacked in vehicles or lost their lives in the hands of criminal organizations.

Yamatei has proposed increasing the sentences for traffickers, known as “coyotes”, to 10-30 years from 2-5 years under current law.

“I reaffirm my government’s commitment to toughen the prison sentences for ‘coyotes’ and traffickers,” Yamatei told Congress.

The proposal stipulates that if traffickers transport minors and pregnant women or if migrants are subjected to inhuman treatment, the penalties may be even higher.

The president called for the reform to be voted on as a matter of urgency for the country. However, the changes must first be discussed and approved by at least two-thirds of the 160 members of Congress. The bill has a good chance of being passed as the ruling party can secure the necessary votes through alliances and the support it has from other MPs.

Source: AMPE

.

Source From: Capital

You may also like

Get the latest

Stay Informed: Get the Latest Updates and Insights

 

Most popular