Rubén Darío Morales García, a former specialist in the Presidential General Staff (EMP), was arrested and deported to Guatemala for the murder of Monsignor Juan Gerardi, which occurred on April 26, 1998. Morales was the only person implicated in the case with an outstanding arrest warrant, rekindling hope for justice in the most emblematic political crime in Guatemala’s recent history.
The murder of Gerardi, an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Guatemala, occurred two days after he presented the report “Guatemala: Never Again,” which documented human rights violations during the internal armed conflict. In 2001, three military officers—Colonel Byron Disrael Lima Estrada, his son, Captain Byron Lima Oliva, and specialist José Obdulio Villanueva—along with Father Mario Orantes, were convicted of the crime. However, doubts persist about the identification of the masterminds.
The arrest of Morales García, reported in a video on the TikTok account @quorumgt, could represent a significant breakthrough. As an operational member of the EMP in 1998, Morales could provide information about the institution’s involvement, highlighted by its role in intelligence and repression operations during the conflict. However, experts warn that, given his likely role as a low-ranking perpetrator, his capture may not clarify the chain of command behind the murder.
The current political context, under the government of Bernardo Arévalo, who has promoted an anti-impunity agenda, suggests that this capture could be an effort to strengthen the credibility of the judicial system. However, the history of irregularities in the Gerardi case, including witness tampering and the lack of protection for those involved, raises skepticism about the real impact of this arrest.
Human rights organizations urge a transparent and thorough investigation to prevent Morales’s capture from becoming a symbolic gesture. “It’s a step, but it’s not enough. We need to reach the masterminds and guarantee the safety of those involved in the process,” said a representative of the Archdiocese’s Human Rights Office.
The Gerardi case remains a symbol of the fight against impunity in Guatemala. The capture of Morales García opens a new opportunity to seek the truth.