Twenty-three international human rights and legal organizations have expressed deep concern over the detention of Guatemalan lawyer Ramón Cadena, arrested on 10 November 2025 despite voluntarily participating in ongoing legal proceedings. Cadena, known for his long-standing work defending human rights and advising the student movement at the University of San Carlos (USAC), faces charges including aggravated usurpation, sedition, and illegal association—charges that observers describe as politically motivated.
Authorities have repeatedly postponed his initial hearing since 2023, violating due process and prolonging legal uncertainty. After presenting himself to the court to address these delays, he was detained and transferred to Mariscal Zavala prison, where he is reportedly being held in poor and isolated conditions.
The signatory organizations warn that Cadena’s prosecution appears to be part of a broader pattern of criminalization of lawyers, students, and human rights defenders in Guatemala. This pattern includes vague accusations, excessive use of pretrial detention, secrecy orders restricting defense rights, and questions about judicial independence.
They call on Guatemalan authorities to:
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Hold Cadena’s initial hearing immediately and without further delay.
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Guarantee humane detention conditions in line with international standards.
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Resolve his detention lawfully, ensuring full respect for due process and judicial guarantees.
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Safeguard judicial independence and lift the arrest warrant given Cadena’s cooperation.
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End the use of criminal proceedings as reprisals against legal professionals and human rights defenders.
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Comply with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and international human rights obligations.
The statement is endorsed by international bar associations, human rights groups, and monitoring organizations, including OIAD, Lawyers for Lawyers, ICJ, OMCT, Amnesty International, the CCBE, and ELDH.