Guatemala against corruption.
17 January 2020
When the new administration took office on Tuesday, some officials lost their immunity from prosecution this week. In an apparent effort to crack down on corruption, Guatemalan authorities arrested some officials who lost their immunity. Police, armed with arrest warrants for eight high-level officials, executed 14 search warrants between Wednesday and Thursday. A former congresswoman and a former mayor were arrested. The other six were not located.
When the new administration took office on Tuesday, some officials lost their immunity from prosecution this week. In an apparent effort to crack down on corruption, Guatemalan authorities arrested some officials who lost their immunity. Police, armed with arrest warrants for eight high-level officials, executed 14 search warrants between Wednesday and Thursday. A former congresswoman and a former mayor were arrested. The other six were not located.
President Alejandro Giammattei and legislators were sworn in Tuesday, and municipal councils took office Wednesday. Outgoing president Jimmy Morales regained immunity Tuesday night, but other officials from his administration, plagued by allegations of corruption, lost their protection.
Former Mayor Ángel Ren Guarcas of Chiche was arrested for campaign finance violations. Former economy minister who served Jimmy Morales, could not be found. He was declared a fugitive from justice. Another former minister Acisclo Valladares Urruela, is accused of laundering money in a bribery scheme benefiting high-ranking officials and powerful business owners, prosecutors said.
On Wednesday, prosecutors issued warrants for five former lawmakers, including a close ally of Morales, and a special forces soldier who ran for the presidency last year.
On Wednesday, prosecutors issued warrants for five former lawmakers, including a close ally of Morales, and a special forces soldier who ran for the presidency last year.
Prosecutors allege that between 2012 and 2015, lawmakers received bribes through then-Vice President Roxana Baldetti in return for passing various bills, including one which benefited the telecom TIGO.
The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala announced that so far this year the United States has revoked the visas of more than two dozen people, including former government officials due to criminal activity.
The visas are revoked in cases of alleged corruption, human rights violations, drug trafficking, money laundering and people trafficking.
Al Jazeera reported.
The visas are revoked in cases of alleged corruption, human rights violations, drug trafficking, money laundering and people trafficking.
Al Jazeera reported.
