Guatemalan President Issues Formal Apology for Forcible Adoption of Nearly 28,000 Children Abroad | WPN World People News

Guatemala City, July 14, 2024 — Today, the President of Guatemala issued a formal apology on behalf of the government to nearly 28,000 children who were forcibly adopted abroad and their families. Over several decades, these children were illegally taken from their families and arranged for adoption overseas, causing irreparable harm and trauma to countless families.

In a public apology ceremony held at the Presidential Palace, the President expressed deep sympathy and regret to the victims and their families. He stated that this action was a severe violation of human rights, and the government is committed to taking all possible measures to compensate the victims and ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

The President emphasized in his speech, “Today, we stand at a crossroads of history, and we must confront the mistakes of the past to build a fairer and more just future. To those children who were forcibly taken from their homes and their families, we deeply apologize. We will do everything in our power to help them rebuild their lives and ensure that their rights are fully protected.”

The exposure of this event has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from the international community. The Guatemalan government has launched a detailed investigation and is working with several international organizations to seek legal and humanitarian aid. Currently, the government is striving to establish a specialized assistance program to provide psychological, legal, and financial support to the victims and their families.

In addition to the public apology, the government plans to establish a dedicated fund to support efforts to reunite victims with their lost relatives. The government calls on the international community and relevant countries to cooperate in helping these forcibly adopted children find their biological families and restore their identities and dignity.

This apology marks an important step for the Guatemalan government in addressing historical wrongs and restoring social justice. The government is committed to strengthening child rights protection in the future, ensuring that all children can grow up in a safe and loving environment.