Actions of the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office undermine the fight against corruption

by María Josefina Arce

The recent visit to Guatemala by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, brought back to the table the persecution of judges, prosecutors and journalists who confront corruption by the Public Ministry, headed by Attorney General Consuelo Porras.

The official of the international organization expressed his concern about the inappropriate use of criminal legislation to criminalize certain people, while recognizing the commitment of the government presided over by Bernardo Arevalo to the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

The UN had already questioned, during the 2020-2024 mandate of the now former president Alejandro Gianmattei, the actions against prosecutors and judges with an important role in the fight against dishonest acts.

It should be recalled that Gianmattei ratified Porras as Attorney General in 2022, who was accused of blocking investigations into corrupt acts, protecting the interests of powerful citizens, including the former president, and criminalizing justice system personnel.

Public data show that between 2019 and 2023, more than 50 members of the judiciary, journalists, indigenous leaders and activists left the Central American country for exile after denouncing harassment against them by the prosecutor's office.

Since his campaign, Arevalo has made clear his commitment to fighting corruption, setting off alarm bells among the political and business elite. With his surprise runoff victory last August, problems began for the incumbent president and his Semilla party.

The harassment included an investigation into Semilla, the suspension of its legal status, raids on its headquarters, the confiscation of voting records and ballots, and even attempts to annul the election.

 Everything was done to prevent Arevalo, who won the second round with nearly 60% of the vote, from taking office on January 14. The confrontation has continued, now with Arevalo as president, who is prevented by law from removing Porras from office, who, as he has stated, has been imprisoning and harassing those who expose corruption.

The current government has filed criminal charges against the Attorney General for avoiding a meeting with the president, and has sent to Congress a proposal to reform the Public Ministry and ensure compliance with the law.

Questioned by many for her actions, Porras even had the luxury of canceling at the last minute her meeting with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who urged her in a press conference at the end of his visit to Guatemala to stop the political persecution.