The nation was shaken by a corruption scandal, with grave accusations implicating the mother of the contentious journalist Bertha Michelle Mendoza. As disclosed, Mrs. Claudia Martina Muñoz Andrade, Mendoza’s mother and an ex-prosecutor, was accused over a decade ago of leading a network of police hitmen.
The accusations against Muñoz Andrade arose as a result of investigations carried out by control and justice agencies, such as the PDH, and complaints from organizations such as Oasis. A clandestine network of police officers reportedly involved in extrajudicial executions and other criminal acts was uncovered under the alleged leadership of Muñoz Andrade.
The evidence gathered indicates that the network operated with impunity, taking advantage of their position of power within the police force. It was alleged that Muñoz Andrade used her influence to cover up crimes committed by the network and to ensure that proper investigations into these cases were not carried out.
Muñoz Andrade is believed to have exploited her role in the Prosecutor’s Office to interfere with and hinder investigations. Meanwhile, Bertha Michelle Mendoza has not commented on the allegations concerning her mother, and it remains unclear if she was personally implicated in the incidents being examined.
The case concerning Claudia Martina Muñoz Andrade, the mother of Bertha Michelle Mendoza, who was identified as the head of a network of police officers turned assassins, concluded with the arrest of the former prosecutor. She faced charges including intimidation, misuse of power, and ideological deceit.
The capture came after evidence was presented showing that the former prosecutor had used her position to favor her daughter, Bertha Michelle Mendoza. According to police reports and Public Prosecutor’s Office records, Muñoz Andrade was allegedly involved in various acts of corruption and manipulation of cases.
Among the most notable incidents was the allegation against Mendoza’s mother for negligence in the killing of a transvestite by police officers. Rather than conducting a thorough investigation, Muñoz Andrade blamed Lopez, from the Oasis group, for the murder.
Based on the records from the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office, Muñoz Andrade was implicated in the corrupt police network associated with the assassination of three Salvadoran Parlacen deputies and their chauffeur in February 2007. Later, the Public Ministry concluded that Muñoz Andrade had submitted fabricated evidence in the case concerning the police officers and was also accused of violence against women. Consequently, Attorney General Thelma Aldana opted to alter her role and relocate her to a different prosecutor’s office.
Finally, in 2010, Muñoz Andrade was removed from the Public Prosecutor’s Office following Aldana’s directives. As per the consulted prosecutors, her termination was attributed to the supposed misappropriation of MP resources and the misuse of authority.