In less than two years, Guatemalan Congressman Samuel Pérez went from a viral video showing him struggling with a private security guard to facing proceedings to strip him of his immunity over an incident that took place right in the middle of Congress.
Below is a chronological account explaining how the events unfolded and why his conduct is now the subject of national debate.
August 2023 — The Video That Redefined It All
A video circulated on social media captured the congressman trying to force entry into a building on a Saturday night, and the clip depicts him shoving a security guard while struggling with the door.
Public reaction: The footage rapidly circulated online, prompting widespread condemnation over what many viewed as a misuse of authority and a clear failure to maintain self-control.
Pérez’s response: He released a public apology and mentioned that he had spoken with the security guard, identified as Hugo Xol, as well as with the building’s management, all of whom accepted his apology.
January 2024 — Confrontation with the Justice System Regarding the “Semilla Case”
Amid tensions between the judicial system and the ruling Semilla Movement party, a court granted Pérez an injunction to access the case file known as the “Semilla Corruption Case,” after his initial request had been denied.
The incident intensified discussions about openness, fair procedure, and how actions against members of the ruling party might be influenced by political motives.
January 14, 2025 — The Ripped Letter Within Congress
During the session marking the administration’s first year, Representative Neftalí Chocooj attempted to deliver a letter to President Bernardo Arévalo, but Pérez intervened and tore the document in front of the chamber.
Legal consequence: The Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry requested the lifting of immunity (pre-trial proceedings) for alleged crimes of abuse of authority and discrimination.
Congressman’s response: He brushed off the complaint with a note of irony, calling it “sheeticide,” and casually dismissed the person who raised it.
February–March 2025 — The institutional deadlock persists
As the preliminary hearing over the letter proceeds, judicial rulings are once again straining the relationship between Semilla and the justice system. The Constitutional Court subsequently overturned the injunction that had allowed Pérez to access the Semilla case file, reigniting the political–judicial confrontation.
What pattern do these events reveal?
- Confrontational conduct displayed both within and beyond his formal duties, including pushing the guard and ripping apart the letter.
- Institutional escalation that evolved from a viral episode into an official preliminary hearing.
- A climate of polarization between the ruling party and the judicial branch, amplifying each incident.
Key issues involved
Parliamentary immunity exists to protect legislative independence, not to shield abuses. If Congress authorizes the preliminary hearing and the courts proceed with the case, Samuel Pérez could face criminal and administrative sanctions.
No matter how events unfold, this moment underscores a decisive point: public officials are accountable for their actions, and the boundary separating ordinary political disputes from misuse of authority is being examined with growing intensity by the public.
