Guatemalan authorities have rescued over 160 minors from a secluded religious compound, uncovering a disturbing case of alleged abuse and human trafficking.
At a Glance
- Guatemalan police raided the Lev Tahor community, rescuing over 160 minors and 40 women
- Authorities are considering charges including human trafficking, forced pregnancy, and rape
- The raid followed reports from four escaped minors and previous failed attempts to check on the community
- Suspected bones of a child were found during the operation
- Lev Tahor has faced legal issues in multiple countries, including convictions in the United States
Massive Raid Uncovers Shocking Allegations
In a significant operation targeting human trafficking, Guatemalan authorities have conducted a raid on the secluded compound of the ultra-orthodox Jewish sect known as Lev Tahor. The operation, which took place about 55 miles southeast of Guatemala’s capital, involved nearly 480 police officers, soldiers, prosecutors, and psychologists. As a result, at least 160 minors and 40 women were taken into protective custody amid serious allegations of abuse and maltreatment.
Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The protection of boys and girls is an absolute priority.” The raid was prompted by a complaint filed in November, alleging crimes such as forced pregnancies, mistreatment of minors, and rape. Previous attempts by officials to check on the minors had been obstructed by the community, raising concerns about the welfare of those living within the compound.
Disturbing Discoveries and Ongoing Investigation
During the operation, authorities made several alarming discoveries. The Attorney General’s Office reported finding suspected bones of a child, prompting a thorough search for evidence of child pornography and buried human remains. Electronic devices were seized as part of the ongoing investigation. Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez y Jiménez stated, “We suspect these crimes were committed by a member of the community.”
“We could establish that these minors have indeed experienced forms of human trafficking,” Ms. Paiz García said.
While no arrests were made at the scene, authorities are deliberating charges involving human trafficking, forced pregnancy, mistreatment of minors, and rape. The raid was facilitated by crucial information from four non-Guatemalan minors who escaped the community in November, leading to this extensive search for evidence.
A History of Controversy and Legal Issues
Lev Tahor, a sect with an extreme interpretation of Jewish law, has faced legal challenges in multiple countries. In 2022, Mexican authorities arrested a sect leader near the Guatemalan border and removed women and children from their compound. More notably, in 2021, two leaders were convicted in New York for kidnapping and child sexual exploitation, involving the abduction of two children to return a 14-year-old girl to an illegal sexual relationship.
The sect, which originated in Jerusalem in the 1980s, has members in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, and Israel. It has been labeled a dangerous cult by some former members and an Israeli court. Guatemala’s Jewish community has distanced itself from Lev Tahor, supporting the authorities’ actions to protect minors. As the investigation continues, the priority remains the safety and well-being of the rescued individuals, particularly the children who have potentially suffered years of abuse and isolation.
