Estela Adelina Ventura Fernández serves as the governor of Alta Verapaz, a department in Guatemala. Photo from Facebook

Lawmakers in Guatemala are being threatened with prosecution in connection with a meeting during which a government official said she was called a "stupid Indian."

Estela Ventura, the governor of Alta Verapaz, filed the complaint after the April 5 meeting. She said she was insulted for refusing to issue contracts to companies connected to the lawmakers, the Associated Press reported.

But since the lawmakers -- who belong to the party of President Jimmy Morales -- are protected by immunity, government prosecutors must obtain permission to charge them for the incident. At least 8 lawmakers, and possibly more, might be implicated, according to news reports.

“All due respect, but that is democracy," lawmaker Oscar Rolando Corleto said in response to the controversy, the Associated Press reported. "It is her word against ours.”

Morales, who won election last October, appointed Ventura to her post and is apparently standing by her efforts. He doesn't enjoy the greatest standing among indigenous leaders and activists in the country because he frequently made fun of indigenous people during his career as a comedian.

Indigenous people represent about 40 percent of Guatemala's population, according to Wikipedia.

Get the Story:
Guatemala prosecutors target lawmakers over racism complaint (AP 4/14)
Ella es Estela Ventura, la gobernadora insultada por FCN (Guatevision 4/13)
Indigenous Women Fight Racism and Sexism in Guatemalan Congress (teleSUR 4/11)

New president of Guatemala made jokes about indigenous people (10/27)