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Luis BARRUETO is a journalist from Guatemala. Studied business and finance journalism at Aarhus University in Denmark and City University London.
Guatemalan President Locks Horns With Anti-Corruption Leaders
Guatemala's President Jimmy Morales is under intense public scrutiny as he prepares to select a new Attorney General. This was true as Benjamin Russell's explainer at Americas Quarterly went to the presses on April 18, but it is almost an understatement two days later:
On April 19, the outgoing Attorney General Thelma Aldana and the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) presented an investigation detailing how a group of prominent business leaders donated over a million dollars in illegal campaign contributions to Morales' campaign. As the target of ever increasing allegations of corruption, Guatemalans don't trust this president with electing someone who will continue Aldana's astounding achievements.
Guatemala has been one of the most successful examples in the fight against corruption in Latin America. Investigations of local prosecutors and the CICIG, a UN-sponsored body, have taken two former presidents and over a hundred former government officials and corrupt businessmen to trial. But Morales is seen by many as seeking to stymie the CICIG, in an attempt to shield himself, his family, and many of his political allies from justice.
Guatemalans are expectant about who will take Aldana's up job in May. And "while that pressure, including a street protest on April 12, seems to have had a positive effect, there are still risks that the selection process will turn against proponents of reform," Russell explains.
Activists cited in the piece expressed reservations about one of the final candidates, Maria Porras, who many see might ease off about bringing Morales to the courts. And as the campaign finance case came to light, the stakes became even higher: Morales' campaign might have benefited from around $2.03 million in illegal funds.
He might not only appoint a less than ideal candidate, but take action to revise the mandate of the CICIG. In protecting himself, he risks derailing all progress Guatemala has made in recent years.
