![]() ![]() She was then arrested by the Guatemalan National Civil Police.īefore the arraignment hearing began, Maria stated, “I’m surprised by what is happening to me…I have worked as a community leader. When she arrived at the bank, her account had been locked, as were her phone and social media accounts. The case was suspended, and she took advantage of the visit to buy school supplies for her children. ![]() On the day of her arrest, only two days earlier, Maria was in Puerto Barrios to accompany and translate for members of the community of Rubel Pek, who had come to the town for legal proceedings. The next six months will be used to gather evidence for and against her. She must register with the court each month and cannot leave the department of Izabal. In a short hearing with Judge Edgar Anibal Arteaga of the First Instance Court, Maria was released on Q5,000 bail, and a trial date set for August 2018. ![]() But this time, she was being criminalized- accused of threats, aggravated usurpation and illegal detention for her work with the community Chab’il Ch’och’, in the department of Izabal. ![]() For years she has supported communities in the struggle to secure legal certainty for ancestral lands. Maria is no stranger to the legal system in her town. On Friday, January 20, 2018, Maria Cuc Choc made her first appearance in front of a judge in Puerto Barrios for her arraignment hearing. ![]()
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