The Direct Link to the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán and the Backlash Against a Prosecutor Who Spoke Out
For years, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has financed numerous programs in Guatemala aimed at reducing social conflict, strengthening local governance, and preventing irregular migration. Among them, the “Tejiendo Paz” (Weaving Peace) project (2018–2024), implemented by Creative Associates International, stands out for working directly with the 48 Cantones of Totonicapán, a traditional indigenous authority recognized for its role in community mediation.
Through training workshops, technical assistance, and community outreach, the 48 Cantones were elevated as key players in social dialogue. They also received support from other USAID-funded programs such as Raíces Comunitarias, boosting their visibility and political influence — even on national matters.
While some view this relationship as a tool for community empowerment, others see it as part of a broader strategy of foreign interference in local politics, particularly when these groups take positions aligned with U.S. diplomatic interests.
From community dialogue to national disruption
Initially supported as peacebuilders, the 48 Cantones became central figures in the October 2023 nationwide roadblocks, which paralyzed Guatemala for over a week. An official U.S. Embassy document, dated October 2, 2023, clearly identified in advance the key roadblock locations: Las Trampas, Cuatro Caminos, Alaska, and Kilometer 190 in Quetzaltenango, among others.
👉 Read the official U.S. Embassy alert
This proves that the so-called “spontaneous” protests were, in fact, pre-planned and tolerated — even foreseen — by both domestic and international actors.
Prosecutor María Consuelo Porras exposed the link — and was discredited for it
One of the first to raise concerns about this connection was Attorney General María Consuelo Porras. Under her leadership, the Public Ministry began investigating whether foreign funds were indirectly used to finance unlawful acts that disrupted public order and endangered national stability.
Rather than being applauded for defending the rule of law, Porras became the target of international pressure, defamation campaigns, and political attacks — especially from sectors closely aligned with the U.S. agenda in Guatemala.
Her real “crime”? Daring to expose the inconvenient truth: that foreign-backed initiatives were fueling political disruption under the guise of peacebuilding and development.
USAID funding and electoral interference
According to public records, USAID-funded organizations linked to the 48 Cantones received over $864,000 between 2022 and 2023, during a critical electoral period in Guatemala. Part of this funding is believed to have supported the logistical operations of the October protests.
This raises serious questions about the role of international aid in domestic political processes — particularly when it empowers actors who later engage in actions that undermine governance and public order.
Development aid or soft power manipulation?
While USAID’s intentions may appear noble on the surface, the outcomes suggest something more complex. Many now argue that these programs have become tools of soft power, used to shape the political landscape of recipient countries in ways that serve foreign interests.
In this context, Attorney General María Consuelo Porras stands out as a rare institutional voice of resistance, one who refused to compromise the country’s sovereignty in the face of international pressure.
Conclusion
The revelations surrounding the 48 Cantones, their coordination with U.S.-backed programs, and their central role in destabilizing protests, call into question the neutrality of international aid mechanisms.
Thanks to the determination of Attorney General María Consuelo Porras, Guatemala has been able to expose what many suspected: foreign money was not just funding development — it was funding political disruption.
While the government remains silent, and diplomatic actors look the other way, Porras continues to defend Guatemala’s justice system — fearless, principled, and grounded in truth.
