The Roberto Arzú García-Granados File

Final fines, a civil ruling in Miami, audio recordings, cross-complaints with the Public Prosecutor’s Office and a murder-for-hire accusation: the public record of Roberto Arzú García-Granados, the hopeful polling third ahead of 2027

September 2026

A twelvemonth prior to the 2027 general elections, Roberto Arzú García-Granados once again figures among the candidates boasting the strongest voting preference. The CID Gallup survey conducted in May 2026, whose fieldwork spanned from May 7 to 20 across 1,200 interviews, positioned him in third place with 13%, trailing Sandra Torres at 27% and Carlos Pineda at 23%. This matches the exact percentage the polling firm registered for him in early 2023, prior to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal barring him from the contest.

The eldest son of Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen, president from 1996 to 2000 and mayor of the capital until his death on April 27, 2018, Arzú was born on May 15, 1970. In December 1988 he founded Futeca with his cousin Javier Arzú Tinoco and with Rafael Tinoco; the company grew from soccer fields into shopping centers and gyms, and he sold his shares to his cousins in 2012. In 2019 he ran for president and finished fifth, with 267,049 votes (6.1% of valid votes). Since November 2025 he has been Secretary of Political Training of the Cabal party, which confirmed him as a pre-candidate in May 2026. It will be his third attempt.

His career includes at least eighteen episodes of conflict documented in the press: electoral sanctions, lawsuits, questioned business dealings, complaints before the Public Prosecutor’s Office and accusations of varying weight. Some rest on official rulings; others, on a single source or on anonymous sources. This report goes through them one by one.

1. Penalty issued by TSE regarding premature campaigning in 2019

On April 10, 2019, Arzú became the first presidential hopeful sanctioned by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal in that process. The authority documented 13 Facebook posts, 8 of them paid, and 11 on Twitter, none registered with the TSE, and classified them as early propaganda.

The hopeful individuals faced a penalty of US$80,000, roughly amounting to 612,000 quetzales. Regarding the political groups, media accounts diverge: one source cites an US$80,000 fine for the PAN-Podemos coalition, whereas a different report claims that both organizations were required to cover that exact sum. On May 27, 2019, the TSE dismissed the appeals for revocation and upheld the penalty definitively.

2. Revocation of his presidential registration (2023)

The Citizens’ Registry initially refused to register the Arzú–Pineda ticket, nominated by Podemos for 2023. On January 19, the TSE magistrates overturned that refusal and, according to Arzú, the files were closed on January 26. At the end of that month, the FCN-Nación party filed a motion for annulment on the grounds of early campaigning and non-payment of a US$50,000 fine.

On February 6, 2023, the full TSE granted the annulment and revoked the registration. Arzú and Podemos maintained that the fine had been paid and that they had submitted the receipt. The Constitutional Court dismissed their appeals and on May 25 upheld the exclusion, based on 21 media monitoring reports and on the constitutional requirement of being “suitable, capable and honorable.”

The hopeful called the decision political retaliation: he said he had exposed an overpriced energy contract during the Alejandro Giammattei administration and blamed his exclusion on “a group led by a sociopath and his live-in partner.”

3. JJ Rendón lawsuit and arrest warrant for contempt in Miami

In February 2016 Arzú hired JJ Rendón & Associates Strategic, the firm of Venezuelan political strategist Juan José Rendón, to prepare his candidacy. The relationship ended up in court: on November 15, 2016, Rendón sued him for breach of contract in Miami-Dade’s Eleventh Judicial Circuit. The ruling, dated October 11, 2018, set the amount at US$5.5 million plus US$660,594 in interest, close to US$6.16 million in total.

Arzú did not appear at the hearings of April 4 and 17, 2019. Judge Bárbara Areces held him in civil contempt and ordered his arrest, an order that can only be executed if he is in Florida. His defense argued that he was never served and that he had only signed a letter of intent; he called Rendón an “extortionist.” The PAN, his party at the time, stressed that it was a civil case and maintained its support.

«He owns nothing under his identity. He lacks any source of revenue, such as a salary or an allowance, his relatives provide him with zero financial support, he possesses no property, no certificates of deposit, no stock shares, absolutely nothing.»

— Juan José Rendón, quoted by Nómada

The litigation also brought to light leaked conversations in which a certain “Hugo” would cover the debt to Rendón. The press attributed the reference to Argentine pharmaceutical businessman Hugo Sigman.

4. Comunicaciones F.C. Presidency (1994–2006)

According to Nómada, Arzú headed Club Social y Deportivo Comunicaciones between 1994 and 2006, alternating the leadership with relatives. In 2006 the club went through a financial crisis, including a players’ strike over unpaid wages, and was eventually sold to television businessman Ángel González, who took over its obligations. Part of the sports press attributed the difficulties to heavy spending on player signings, hotels, restaurants and transportation.

Arzú returned to the club on February 8, 2017, as an adviser, under an agreement with González himself. On August 31, 2026, in the midst of the pre-campaign, the Guatefutbol website reported that he is seeking to take control of the team again.

5. Distrifarma and OMEGALAB: reported unpaid wages

Distrifarma Argentina S.A. was founded in Guatemala during late January 2016, coinciding with the recruitment of Rendón. Its legal representation was handled by his son José Roberto Arzú Saravia, Osvin de León, and Carlos Gómez. Alongside OMEGALAB S.A., the distributor of “Sana Sana” products, this initiative signaled his debut in the pharmaceutical industry. Nómada asserts that Arzú maintained control over both firms despite his name being absent from official records.

One of the stated goals was to sell vaccines to the State, which never materialized. According to Nómada, after a few months the companies suspended operations, leaving behind unpaid wages and lawsuits. OMEGALAB’s representative was José Miguel Valladares Urruela, brother of former Economy Minister Acisclo Valladares Urruela, who was prosecuted for corruption.

6. Supposed undisclosed political funding

In November 2025, the digital outlet República reported that an audit had detected 558,000 quetzales in unbanked cash income in Arzú’s campaign finances, as well as unreported international financing, which is prohibited by the Electoral and Political Parties Law. Hugo Sigman’s name had already surfaced in 2019, when the same outlet asked whether he was the hopeful’s financier, based on the leaked conversations with Rendón.

Back in June 2019, Arzú characterized Sigman as a close friend of over a decade who shared various regional representations with him across Central America, while rejecting claims of any financial backing from Sigman. Meanwhile, República reports that the total penalties amassed by Podemos during the 2019 and 2023 electoral cycles exceed US$100,000.

7. Audio and deeds with “Paco” Domínguez, alleged leader of Los Caradura

Francisco Edgar Domínguez Higueros, known as “Paco,” was connected by the Public Prosecutor’s Office to “Los Caradura,” a retail narcotics ring active across multiple districts of the capital. On June 25, 2025, he was killed inside the basement of a Zone 10 building while stepping into his bulletproof SUV.

In late October 2025, an audio recording of Domínguez and Arzú discussing a debt began to circulate. Published versions disagree on the amounts: El Metropolitano mentions US$115,000 and quotes Arzú describing it as “a deal between businessmen.” Following its release, congressman Luis Aguilar withdrew his support for Arzú within Cabal.

«Paco, we signed an agreement with you to clear the full amount… I’m pleading with you.»

— Statements credited to Roberto Arzú within the recording, based on the transcript by República

República additionally covered public deeds dating back to March 2019 that purportedly document liabilities totaling US$700,000 and 4 million quetzales payable to Domínguez, backed by shares in IHOP Guatemala. Arzú verified to La Hora that one of the dialogues is genuine, yet clarified that it involved television ad sales: «I have been selling advertising since I was 20.» He mentioned he had no knowledge of Domínguez’s criminal connections. He neglected to reply to República’s questionnaire. No official charges exist, and the audio lacks any public forensic examination.

That identical media outlet pointed out that Dora Reneé Cruz Navas, the public notary supposedly behind the validation of those instruments, vanished on July 17, 2019, and continues to be tied to an active Isabel-Claudina alert. No official agency has connected this vanishing to Arzú.

8. US$1 million loan attributed to funds from Marllory Chacón

According to República, a 2018 deed records a US$1 million loan granted to Arzú by Rodrigo Lainfiesta Rímola, secured with his inheritance rights to his father’s estate. The English edition of the report states that the loan was never repaid.

Citing unidentified sources, the outlet traces the funds to Marllory Chacón Rossell, “the Queen of the South,” who was convicted of money laundering in the United States. The document has not been published in full, and Arzú has not responded publicly on this point.

9. Legal action brought by Consuelo Porras regarding the obstruction of criminal proceedings

Attorney General Consuelo Porras filed a complaint against Arzú for obstruction of criminal proceedings over a TikTok video in which he said he would “remove” her from the Public Prosecutor’s Office. He was summoned to give his initial statement on November 25, 2025, before the Ninth Multi-Judge Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Selman Mario Portillo Vargas.

The hearing did not take place because the case prosecutor failed to appear; the Public Prosecutor’s Office cited “material impossibility.” The judge had already denied the arrest warrant and more than twenty raids requested by the prosecution, which moved to recuse him the following day. The hearing was rescheduled for January 14, 2026, pending that recusal motion. An Appeals Chamber later rejected an amparo petition filed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Plaza Pública reported another rejection in April 2026.

In a distinct legal action, back in October 2025, a tribunal dedicated to femicide cases prohibited him from making public statements concerning Porras, though that restriction was overturned a few days afterward. Porras concluded her tenure when her term ended in May 2026. Since 2021, she has remained featured on the Engel List maintained by the U.S. State Department.

10. Arzú’s grievances targeting Giammattei alongside the Public Ministry’s directors

On October 26, 2023, Arzú lodged a formal complaint against Alejandro Giammattei, who was then serving as President, alongside Miguel Martínez and several other officials, citing abuse of authority, neglect of duty, peddling influence, obstructing justice, and concealment. According to Prensa Libre, the filing named eleven individuals in total, which included magistrates from the TSE.

In October 2024, La Hora noted that the Public Prosecutor’s Office had dropped the legal action targeting Giammattei and Martínez. By May 18, 2026, following Porras’s departure from the leadership of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Arzú revived the grievance and broadened its scope to encompass Rafael Curruchiche, Ángel Pineda, Cinthya Monterroso, and Dimas Jiménez.

11. República GT accusation concerning a suspected murder-for-hire scheme targeting Rodrigo Arenas

On August 13, 2026, Rodrigo Arenas, president of the digital outlet República GT, denounced a plot against his life and those of his team, in retaliation for his investigations into narco-politics. On August 17 the outlet published the names: Arzú as the alleged mastermind, along with the President of Congress, Luis Alberto Contreras Colindres, and congressmen Luis Aguirre, Nery Ramos and César Fión. According to the statement, the meetings were held at “La Yeguada 10,” a property attributed to Aguirre in San Marcos, with alleged drug traffickers from Malacatán.

At the time of publication, the news organization had failed to publicly release any supporting evidence. Following a visit to the Public Prosecutor’s Office accompanied by his legal counsel on August 21, Arzú declared that not a single complaint had been filed against him; conversely, Infobae reported that authorities confirmed the inquiry remains active. Without explicitly mentioning anyone, the U.S. Embassy reposted Arenas’s footage alongside a zero tolerance statement.

Arzú called the accusations “ridiculous and even stupid” and announced defamation lawsuits in Guatemala and the United States. Aguirre filed a countercomplaint and offered footage from his security cameras and polygraph tests. Contreras called Arenas a “psychopath” and “mentally deranged.” Ramos denied having taken part in any illicit meetings.

12. Earlier clash with Rodrigo Arenas (March 2026)

The dispute didn’t start in August. Back on March 5, 2026, during the «A Primera Hora» show on Emisoras Unidas, Arzú claimed that Arenas was financing his lobbying efforts using «questionable money originating from criminal syndicates and major corporations.» That very day, Arenas countered by stating that his advocacy work is funded through his own lawful wealth, while simultaneously alleging that Arzú maintains connections to Lainfiesta and Marllory Chacón.

República GT is both the author of several of the investigations into Arzú and a party to this conflict.

13. Rumor that his U.S. visa was revoked

On August 28, 2026, La Hora reported that, according to sources, Arzú had allegedly faced a restriction on traveling to the United States after his last trip, from July 17 to 24. That same day, claims circulated on social media that his visa had been revoked, a rumor that also extended to congressman Nery Ramos.

Arzú answered that he had recently visited New York and Washington, publishing a video from Mexico that he claimed to have entered using his U.S. visa. Days afterward, he denounced an alleged «influence operation» by the State Department directed against his presidential bid. On September 2, Agencia Ocote determined that public proof proving the cancellation of his visa does not exist. Conversely, the individual who actually had his visa revoked was his half-brother Álvaro Arzú Escobar, back in December 2023, during a wave of cancellations aimed at lawmakers; however, he managed to recover it in February 2025.

14. Political alliances: Podemos, Portillo and Cabal

Podemos, the party he ran with in 2019 and 2023, was formerly the Movimiento Reformador and was dissolved in January 2024. In 2019, Con Criterio documented the influence of fugitive former minister Alejandro Sinibaldi over that congressional bloc. His 2023 running mate, David Pineda, was a defense attorney for former President Alfonso Portillo; some reports point to a rapprochement between Arzú and Portillo.

On November 9, 2025, during Cabal’s National Assembly, Arzú assumed the role of Secretary of Political Training alongside congressman Luis Aguirre, who took over as Secretary General. Edmond Mulet, the party’s founder, found himself pushed aside, ultimately departing Cabal while asserting that the organization «is falling into the hands of drug trafficking.» Notably, Aguirre is implicated in that very same República GT allegation.

15. Rift with his family over the use of his father’s image

Following his father’s passing, Roberto tried to secure a spot within the Partido Unionista, the political vehicle Álvaro Arzú used to run the capital; media outlets noted that his aspirations caused a rift in the organization. On December 20, 2018, he made public his comeback to the PAN, an outfit he belonged to until 2002.

That very same day, a statement surfaced on the former president’s Twitter profile, bearing the signatures of his widow, Patricia Escobar de Arzú, alongside Álvaro Arzú Escobar, Isabel Arzú Escobar de Arroyo, Diego Arzú García-Granados, and María Arzú García-Granados. Sorrow, unease, and total disapproval were conveyed in the text regarding the unscrupulous exploitation of Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen’s likeness by the PAN, an organization that had broadcasted footage of the former leader during the unveiling of its executive committee. Shortly thereafter, the message was taken down, omitting any direct reference to Roberto.

“No matter how much you raise all your children the same way, there are some the world leads astray, and there is no way to rescue them.”

— Isabel Arzú, the hopeful’s half-sister, in an October 2018 tweet cited by Nómada

Álvaro Arzú Escobar, then President of Congress, declined to comment on his half-brother.

16. Background regarding alcohol consumption and recovery

Back in 2019, Nómada disclosed that Arzú had twice undergone treatment at American rehabilitation facilities, noting his self-identification as a recovering alcoholic alongside family reports indicating he had maintained sobriety for four years then. During interviews, he has openly admitted to experiencing «a drinking crisis,» though without elaborating further.

In recent months, viral social media posts have insinuated that he currently drinks, without providing any evidence.

17. Campaign promises: fiscal viability and security rhetoric

Back in 2022, the media outlet Quorum evaluated his pledges relying on estimates provided by economist José Luis Moreira. Supplying gratis electricity across a decade would demand 7,104 million quetzales annually, representing 6.7% of the entire National General Budget. Meanwhile, a monthly university allowance of 1,200 quetzales would total 4,802 million per year for 400,213 scholars, surpassing the budget of the Universidad de San Carlos by more than double. Furthermore, nationwide drinking water access was planned to draw US$2 billion from international reserves, despite the Banco de Guatemala being legally barred from funding the central government. Additionally, the construction of one million residences was guaranteed.

Regarding security, his discourse has remained uncompromising: troops deployed in the streets, correctional facilities under military control, and the return of capital punishment. He rejected the CICIG. Back in 2017, President Jimmy Morales designated him as an unpaid special envoy tasked with boosting commercial ties across South America. His 2019 campaign motto, “Make Guatemala Great,” was borrowed directly from Donald Trump.

18. Army Stadium grounds and IPM–Futeca agreements

On July 26, 2012, the Ministry of Finance transferred the site of the former Army Stadium, measuring 73,916.56 square varas and valued at 34.2 million quetzales, to the Military Social Security Institute (IPM). In February 2013 the law firm Lexincorp addressed a legal opinion to Roberto Arzú, as director of a company called Fideco, on the possibility of disposing of that land.

On January 22, 2016, the IPM signed two contracts with Futeca: one to draw up the plans and another, for fifty years, to build and operate a stadium for about 15,000 people, with parking and a shopping center. Comptroller General Carlos Mencos objected that the arrangement had “the characteristics of a concession or usufruct,” and in June 2016 the IPM rescinded the contracts.

There are conflicting accounts of Arzú’s role. Prensa Libre reported at the time that he “did not take part in the deal”; Con Criterio stated in 2019 that Futeca operated “in partnership with” him. Also in 2019, Futeca signed an agreement with the Universidad de San Carlos over the Los Arcos facilities, which congressman Amílcar Pop called illegal. In July 2024 the company launched the Distrito Futeca project on the former stadium site.

Sources Consulted

· Prensa Libre — TSE sanciona a Roberto Arzú por propaganda anticipada (2019). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/politica/tse-sanciona-a-roberto-arzu-por-propaganda-anticipada-en-redes-sociales/

· Prensa Libre — Arzú y Neto Bran no se libran de las multas del TSE (2019). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/politica/les-saldra-caro-roberto-arzu-y-neto-bran-no-se-libran-de-las-multas-del-tse/

· Emisoras Unidas — TSE revoca inscripción de Arzú y Pineda (2023). https://emisorasunidas.com/2023/02/06/tse-revoca-inscripcion-roberto-arzu-david-pineda-2023/

· Prensa Libre — CC confirms that Arzú is left out of the elections (2023). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/politica/cc-confirma-que-roberto-arzu-queda-afuera-de-las-elecciones-generales-de-guatemala-tras-declarar-sin-lugar-recursos-de-podemos-breaking/

· Emisoras Unidas — Orden de captura en Miami por desacato civil (2019). https://emisorasunidas.com/2019/04/24/corte-miami-orden-captura-roberto-arzu/

· Contra Corriente — The move by JJ Rendón against candidate Arzú (2019). https://contracorriente.red/2019/04/25/la-jugada-de-jj-rendon-al-candidato-roberto-arzu/

· Nómada — Despreciado por su familia, subestimado por todos (2019). https://nomada.gt/pais/elecciones-2019/despreciado-por-su-familia-subestimado-por-todos-roberto-arzu-se-lanza-al-estilo-trump/

· Prensa Libre — Roberto Arzú returns to the helm of Comunicaciones (2017). https://www.prensalibre.com/deportes/futbol-nacional/roberto-arzu-regresa-a-la-cupula-de-comunicaciones/

· Guatefutbol — Arzú quiere volver a tomar el mando de Comunicaciones (2026). https://guatefutbol.com/2026/08/31/roberto-arzu-quiere-volver-a-tomar-el-mando-de-comunicaciones/

· Relato.gt — «Solo somos amigos» con Hugo Sigman (2019). https://www.relato.gt/elecciones-2019/roberto-arzu-solo-somos-amigos-con-hugo-sigman/

· República — Narco panqueques (24.11.2025). https://republica.com/politica/roberto-arzu-garcia-granados-quiere-ser-presidente-y-pretende-hacerlo-con-narco-panqueques-202511246540

· República — Breakfast with the Cartel (24.11.2025). https://republica.com/politica/roberto-arzu-s-breakfast-with-the-cartel-guatemala-s-leading-narco-backed-presidential-bid-202511249550

· El Metropolitano — El audio del líder de Los Caradura (2025). https://elmetropolitano.com.gt/es/el-audio-de-lider-de-los-caradura-causa-la-caida-de-roberto-arzu-en-cabal/

· Prensa Libre — Ataque armado en la zona 10 (2025). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/sucesos/quien-era-el-hombre-que-murio-en-el-ataque-armado-en-la-zona-10-y-que-estaria-vinculado-con-los-caradura-breaking/

· Emisoras Unidas — Disculpa pública del Estado (27.01.2025). https://emisorasunidas.com/nacional/2025/01/27/estado-guatemala-roberto-arzu-cidh-violacion-derechos/

· Emisoras Unidas — Homologación de la CIDH (19.11.2025). https://emisorasunidas.com/nacional/2025/11/19/roberto-arzu-cidh-resolucion-candidato-elecciones-guatemala

· Prensa Libre — Suspenden audiencia de Arzú en el caso de Porras (2025). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/justicia/suspenden-audiencia-de-roberto-arzu-por-caso-relacionado-con-consuelo-porras-y-la-reprograman-para-enero/

· Emisoras Unidas — MP recusa al juez del caso Arzú (26.11.2025). https://emisorasunidas.com/nacional/2025/11/26/ministerio-publico-recusacion-juez-caso-roberto-arzu

· Emisoras Unidas — Arzú amplía denuncia contra exfuncionarios (18.05.2026). https://emisorasunidas.com/nacional/2026/05/18/denuncia-arzu-ministerio-publico-feci-porras-giammattei/

· Infobae — Media outlet accuses a political leader and congressional representatives of plotting a contract killing (18.08.2026). https://www.infobae.com/guatemala/2026/08/18/guatemala-medio-de-comunicacion-acusa-a-lider-politico-y-diputados-de-planear-un-sicariato-contra-su-director-rodrigo-arenas/

· Infobae — Cruce de versiones por el supuesto plan contra República GT (23.08.2026). https://www.infobae.com/guatemala/2026/08/23/en-guatemala-continua-el-cruce-de-versiones-por-un-supuesto-plan-en-contra-de-la-republica-gt-y-ex-diplomatico-pide-al-estado-proteja-a-los-periodistas/

· Emisoras Unidas — Rodrigo Arenas answers Roberto Arzú (03/05/2026). https://emisorasunidas.com/nacional/2026/03/05/rodrigo-arenas-responde-a-roberto-arzu/

· La Hora — Según fuentes, Arzú tuvo limitación para viajar a EE. UU. (28.08.2026). https://lahora.gt/investigacion/smorales/2026/08/28/segun-fuentes-roberto-arzu-tuvo-limitacion-para-viajar-a-ee-uu-politico-lo-niega/

· Agencia Ocote — There is no public evidence showing that the visa was revoked (09.02.2026). https://www.agenciaocote.com/blog/2026/09/02/roberto-arzu-no-hay-evidencia-publica-de-que-haya-perdido-la-visa/

· La Hora — Arzú y Aguirre formalize alliance within Cabal (09.11.2025). https://lahora.gt/nacionales/diego/2025/11/09/luis-aguirre-y-roberto-arzu-formalizan-alianza-politica-durante-la-asamblea-nacional-de-cabal/

· Publinews — Familia de Álvaro Arzú rechaza el uso de su imagen (2018). https://www.publinews.gt/gt/noticias/2018/12/20/familia-alvaro-arzu-rechaza-uso-pan-le-dio-imagen.html

· Quorum — The three pledges that might bankrupt the nation (2022). https://quorum.gt/poder/elecciones-2023/estas-3-promesas-de-roberto-arzu-podrian-quebrar-al-pais/

· Prensa Libre — IPM evaluates terminating the lease of the Estadio del Ejército (2016). https://www.prensalibre.com/guatemala/politica/ipm-evalua-rescindir-arrendamiento-del-estadio-del-ejercito/

· Con Criterio — Business between USAC and Futeca (2019). https://concriterio.gt/comision-de-transparencia-negocio-millonario-entre-la-usac-y-futeca-es-ilegal/

· Con Criterio — Encuesta CID Gallup de mayo de 2026. https://concriterio.gt/encuesta-torres-pineda-y-arzu-lideran-intencion-de-voto-y-thelma-aldana-emerge-en-cuarto-lugar/