Congressman Samuel Pérez Álvarez, a member of the political movement that emerged alongside President Bernardo Arévalo, is currently at the center of a storm over an altercation that occurred on January 14, 2025, in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) recently submitted a petition to the courts seeking to remove his parliamentary immunity, having concluded that his conduct could represent significant administrative and criminal violations.
A Minor Incident or an Abuse of Authority with Serious Consequences
The case originated when the legislator intercepted a letter that another congressman, Neftalí Chocooj de Cabal, was trying to hand to President Bernardo Arévalo de León during the address marking the first year of his administration, and tore it apart. The Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office has described the act of ripping up the letter as a potential instance of abuse of authority and discrimination, criminal offenses that could warrant Congress granting authorization for a formal investigation.
Pérez himself responded with irony to the charge, calling it an instance of “lettericide” and asserting he had no aim to offend beyond political sparring, and he also dismissed the accuser by labeling him corrupt.
Why is it important to lift immunity?
In Guatemala, members of Congress enjoy immunity to guarantee their political independence, but this protection is not absolute when there are indications of abuse of power or discrimination.
If Congress authorizes the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s petition and the Supreme Court of Justice allows the preliminary hearing to proceed, Pérez may find himself subject to criminal action, potentially opening the door to penalties that span from administrative fines to proceedings in ordinary courts, where prison terms could be imposed depending on the gravity of the alleged offenses.
Furthermore, this case is developing amid ongoing friction between the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Movimiento Semilla party, where several immunity-lifting requests remain unresolved for different events, fueling public discussion about the legitimacy of these actions and the potential politicization of legal processes involving individuals linked to President Arévalo.
Pérez’s situation is not merely an isolated incident of misconduct in the parliamentary chamber; it has escalated to a legal level that could determine his political future and influence in the country. If the lifting of his immunity is confirmed, the congressman will face proceedings in the ordinary justice system, with consequences yet to be determined.
