Guatemalan Authorities Rescue 160 Children from Controversial Lev Tahor Sect

Guatemala City — In a dramatic operation on Friday, Guatemalan authorities rescued 160 children and adolescents from the fundamentalist Jewish sect Lev Tahor, located in the agricultural municipality of Oratorio, about 78 kilometers southeast of Guatemala City. The rescue comes amid disturbing allegations of child abuse, forced marriages, and human trafficking.

A Sect Under Scrutiny

Lev Tahor, meaning “Pure Heart” in Hebrew, was founded in 1988 in Israel and is known for its strict interpretations of Jewish law. However, the sect has long been embroiled in controversy. Allegations of kidnapping, child marriage, and physical abuse have followed the group since its inception. Members of Lev Tahor have relocated several times over the years, settling in Mexico and Guatemala between 2014 and 2017.

The sect’s austere lifestyle, including long prayer sessions and arranged marriages, has drawn criticism and legal actions in multiple countries. This latest raid in Guatemala is a continuation of efforts to address reports of systemic abuse within the group.

Evidence of Human Trafficking

According to Nancy Paiz, a prosecutor with Guatemala’s Prosecutor’s Office Against Human Trafficking, the operation was initiated based on statements from complainants and evidence gathered during the investigation. “Based on the statements of the complainants, the evidence obtained, and the medical examinations, it was possible to establish that there are forms of human trafficking against these minors, such as forced marriage, abuse, and related crimes,” Paiz said during a press conference.

The minors rescued from the Lev Tahor camp are now under the protection of the Guatemalan government. Authorities are continuing their investigations, which could lead to further legal actions against the sect’s leadership.

A History of Allegations

Lev Tahor has faced repeated legal scrutiny over the years. In 2022, Mexican authorities conducted a similar operation near the Guatemalan border, rescuing children and arresting members of the sect on charges of abuse. These allegations are part of a broader pattern of accusations that have dogged Lev Tahor since the 1980s, including claims of child trafficking, forced marriages, and physical violence.

Global and Local Reactions

The Jewish Community of Guatemala has distanced itself from Lev Tahor, describing the sect as foreign to its organization. In a statement, the community expressed its support for Guatemalan authorities and called on the international community to assist in protecting vulnerable individuals within the sect. “We urge the governments and diplomatic corps of countries whose nationals are members of Lev Tahor to join forces to protect those whose rights may be violated,” the statement read.

The Path Forward

With the minors now in protective care, the focus shifts to ensuring their safety and well-being while legal investigations continue. The rescue highlights broader concerns over child abuse, human trafficking, and the challenges of regulating insular religious communities operating across borders.

As the case unfolds, it serves as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in safeguarding human rights, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.