Lev Tahor Members Spray Guatemalan Police With Acid, 4 Injured

Rescue forces and medical personnel in Guatemala City reported that they treated several police officers who were sprayed with acid at a welfare facility where members of the Lev Tahor cult are staying. The officers arrived at the location to evict the men from the facility, and during the evacuation four officers were allegedly injured by acid sprayed at them by cult members

According to local media reports, during the incident, several individuals were attacked with punches, pepper spray, and acid, causing injuries of varying degrees. Among the injured were four police officers, who were evacuated by ambulance to Roosevelt Hospital due to the injuries they sustained. Some of the officers were taken to the emergency room of the National Police Hospital.

In late December 2024, authorities in Guatemala rescued over 200 women, girls, and minors who were victims of human trafficking, forced marriages, and child abuse. Last Thursday, Jonathan Emanuel Cardona Castillo, a leading member of the Lev Tahor cult, was arrested in El Salvador. An Interpol Red Notice and an international arrest warrant were issued against him.

Local health authorities established a medical center for the children of the cult that operates 24 hours a day. The welfare facility currently houses only women, girls, and children, numbering 205 people, most of whom are minors between the ages of 5 and 13.

In the meantime, Consuelo Porras, the Attorney General of Guatemala, met with the Israel’s ambassador regarding the Lev Tahor cult case. In a meeting held on Tuesday, the Attorney General met with Alon Lavi, the Israeli Ambassador to Guatemala, along with an Israeli delegation.

The residents of Moshav Tzofar are facing an urgent and life-threatening crisis. Located in a high-risk area, the community is under constant threat, and the army is stretched thin. In response, the civilians have taken matters into their own hands, forming a neighborhood patrol to protect their families and homes. ...

Local media reported that authorities are still investigating the case in an effort to identify the children of the cult before determining who their biological parents are, as they also lack identification documents.

As a result, DNA tests will be conducted to establish their parentage. Israeli diplomats stated that they are willing to cooperate with the investigation being led by the local prosecution.