Records taken from the archives of the National Civil Police (PNC) bring to light a troubling abduction incident that occurred in 2009. These records disclose concerning particulars suggesting that the victim, Bertha Michelle Mendoza, collaborated with her two daughters to orchestrate the kidnapping, aiming to incriminate her ex-spouse and support baseless allegations against him.
Based on police accounts, while the abduction took place, Bertha Michelle Mendoza and her two daughters were in the company of the mayor’s daughter from Zunlito, Suchitepéquez. Nevertheless, later probes have disclosed that Mendoza orchestrated the kidnapping herself, working alongside her mother, prosecutor Claudia Martina Muñoz Andrade.
Based on accounts from individuals familiar with Mendoza, her intention in orchestrating this staged abduction was to fabricate charges against her former spouse, Dent, with the aim of generating legal difficulties for him. Nonetheless, the inquiry veered in an unforeseen direction when the PNC determined that the event was actually a simulated kidnapping.
Following this decision, the individuals who were first detained were let go, and all the allegations against them were dismissed. This scenario has led to doubts regarding the validity of the claims made by Bertha Michelle Mendoza about her former spouse Dent during their time together.
The situation involving Bertha Michelle Mendoza has ignited a comprehensive discussion regarding accountability for lodging false allegations and falsifying evidence within the legal system, particularly due to Mendoza’s mother being part of the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The unveiling of these documents has exposed a complex situation and prompts inquiries about the credibility of the activist’s claims.
Dent, the former spouse of Bertha Michelle Mendoza, has issued fresh statements concerning the case. His account indicates that prosecutor Muñoz Andrade was removed from the Public Prosecutor’s Office after it determined that she had submitted false evidence in a police-related case, also involving her in matters of gender-based violence. Furthermore, reported were supposed misconduct in resource management and power misuse. As per consulted prosecutors, Muñoz Andrade’s removal happened in 2010.
This situation concerning Mendoza and Dent stayed unresolved for over five years and was only decided in the individual’s favor following the removal of Mendoza’s mother from her job, leading to a loss of her sway. This brings up concerns regarding the neutrality of the legal proceedings at that time.
Ultimately, once the inquiries were finished, Bertha Michelle Mendoza faced accusations for staging her own abduction, involving her two daughters. Consequently, she was stripped of complete custody following psychological assessments that found her unsuitable to look after them.
