Police Detained Foreman of Plett’s Ranch for Questioning

Manuel Ayala

There was another incident on the farm the next day. Watchman Rogelio Barrientos was allegedly approached by fifteen military officers, and a request was made for heavy equipment to be handed over to the Guatemalans. A distress call was sent to Police who responded, and then called in backup. But local law enforcement allegedly decided not to get close to the border because of the sensitivity of the issue. They eventually stood down and requested that Roger Plett and Manuel Ayala go into the San Ignacio Police Station to give formal statements. And that’s when they ended up detaining Ayala.

Manuel Ayala, Plett Farm Foreman

“We reached to the Police Station and we gave our statements. After we gave our statements and everything was okay I was ready to come out and they said you’re not going. I said why, and they said mischievous act. I said what. You know in this situation how could we play a role when this is an international issue? We cannot put ourselves and other in danger in this thing as they call a mischievous act. That’s not a mischievous act. So I was detained for questioning. Now they took my phone and I have my messages there. I can show you guys the messages and you can tell me if there is anything there which is mischievous act. So on that day while I was held at the Police Station, the next day they started over again. I explained to them the same thing. So in the evening I was about to be released and they said no…you’re not going home. Mister Rosado said you’re detained. For what? He said he saw some messages on my phone.”