Guatemala raids Save the Children HQ for 'child trafficking' probe
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Authorized by the state prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, authorities targeted the Save the Children offices in Guatemala to collect evidence of child trafficking across the US border.
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Guatemalan authorities at the entrance of the Save the Children offices in Guatemala. (Social media)
Guatemalan authorities stormed the Save the Children offices on Thursday, alleging abuse against minors.
According to the prosecutor's office, the raid was part of a "transnational" investigation of "actions that could be related to violations and abuses against Guatemalan children," and requested Texan assistance from the attorney general's office to investigate the alleged trafficking of Guatemalan children on the shared border with the United States.
Save the Children confirmed the raid and expressed their "shock" at the "unprecedented" search, as no allegations were made prior, and no evidence was put forward. "We have protected children from any abuse of their rights. We do not – and we have never – facilitated the movement of children out of Guatemala," the NGO added in a statement.
#BREAKING Guatemala AG office has a warrant & is searching NGO Save the Children’s office in Guatemala City. This comes after I broke the story on The AG’s office investigation into U.S. funded NGOs operating in the region and the U.S. alleged involvement in trafficking children. pic.twitter.com/CT646ILtTf
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) April 25, 2024
Save the Children to launch an independent probe
AFP reported that prosecutors entered the Save the Children building for an "inspection, search, and seizure of evidence," according to state prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche.
This comes amid accusations that Save the Children has been involved in the trafficking of children across the Guatemalan-US border. In a statement released last week, the organization denied all allegations, saying its premise enables an independent investigation to look into organizational misconduct, which is taken "extremely seriously".
"We have no evidence to support these claims and remain dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to migrant children and their families under strict standards of protection and safeguarding," it added.
Saved the Children and several other NGOs were listed for the current investigation, the request to the Texas Attorney General's office revealed.
Read more: International aid orgs sound alarm on 'apocalyptic' situation in Gaza
