Guatemalan court sentences seven police officers to up to 60 years for killing gay couple

A Guatemalan court has sentenced seven former police officers to prison terms ranging from eight to 60 years for what judges described as the "extrajudicial execution" of a gay couple. Eldin Choc, 28, and Milton Santamaria, 45, were beaten and tortured to death by police officers at a station in San Andrés Itzapa in April 2024. During the incident, the officers made homophobic remarks, according to prosecutor Marco Escobar.

Edy Vasquez, the police chief at the time, received the maximum sentence of 60 years, as did another former officer. A third officer was sentenced to 30 years for committing extrajudicial execution. Two female former officers received 11 years each after being found guilty of dereliction of duty and discrimination for making homophobic comments toward the couple. The remaining two defendants received sentences of eight and ten years for charges including unlawful detention, abuse of authority and obstruction of justice.

According to reports, the couple had been arrested following an altercation in a shop. Police initially claimed the men had died in a traffic accident, but the court's findings contradicted this account. The case has attracted international attention as an important test of whether Guatemala's security forces will be held accountable for violence against LGBTQ people.