8 August 2023
As Guatemala heads for the presidential run-off elections on 20 August, Impunity Watch echoes the calls of the EU to fully respect the integrity of the country’s electoral process and rule of law.
This means upholding the right of the candidates – Bernardo Arévalo (Semilla Movement) and Sandra Torres (National Unity of Hope) – to run in the elections, without fear of persecution.
Marlies Stappers, Executive Director of Impunity Watch, said:
“The integrity of the election in Guatemala must be upheld if we are to protect democratic norms in the country. The EU, with its commitment to human rights and democracy, must continue holding the government to account by all means necessary. This can range from diplomatic efforts and election observation missions, to economic sanctions against corrupt officials undermining the electoral process – following the example of the US.”
The electoral process in Guatemala has raised concerns over alleged interference from the country’s ‘corrupt pact’ (pact de corruptos). This refers to an informal alliance of the country’s economic, judicial and political elites with links to corruption and organised crime.
Members of the ‘pact’ have been accused of political meddling and manipulating the justice system. This further undermines an already fragile democracy.
Stappers added:
“It’s clear that the people of Guatemala, against the backdrop of its grim history of armed conflict, don’t want their country to return to authoritarianism. The consequences could be devastating, further entrenching a system of structural corruption and impunity that depletes state resources, deepens poverty and social inequality, undermines human rights and fuels organised crime.”
Systemic persecution of the opposition in the Guatemala elections
At the centre of the crisis in Guatemala is the Attorney General’s Office under María Consuelo Porras. Earlier, the US State Department included her in the so-called Engel list of corrupt individuals for systematic targeting of independent justice operators, and barred her from entering the US.
Following the first round of elections on 25 June, officials of the Attorney General’s Office attempted to suspend the anti-corruption progressive Semilla Movement party based on claims of parties allied with the ‘corrupt pact’. The country’s judicial authority blocked the move as illegal last month. However, this did not stop the Attorney General’s Office from continuing the investigative process. Previously, several candidates were blocked from running altogether.
In addition, officials from the institution raided the headquarters of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) without sufficient legal grounds. They also begun actions against the Registry of Citizens and the people that digitised the ballots. This has sparked outrage and protest in Guatemala and globally.
“The popular will must be respected”
Protesters across Guatemala have called for the dismissal of Porras for her continued involvement in creating false cases against the opposition.
Brisna Caxaj, Programme Director at Impunity Watch Guatemala said:
“Guatemalan people are tired of government corruption and of the traditional political parties, as well as the persecution of independent judges, former corruption prosecutors, journalists and human rights defenders by the Attorney General. The election results on 25 June reflected that rejection, and the popular will must be respected, with no threats.
“For a country emerging from decades of war, the open attacks on Guatemala’s electoral democracy by weaponising the justice system meant to protect it also pose a direct threat for peace, undermining trust between citizens and the state.
“The international community, including the EU, must now rally behind the Guatemalan people to protect justice, democracy and the rule of law.”
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In Guatemala, Impunity Watch supports independent justice actors, including judges and prosecutors, whose anti-corruption and justice work is under threat. Read more and follow Impunity Watch Guatemala on Twitter for regular updates.
Image: Women’s organisations in Guatemala call for the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras for her role in the electoral crisis. Source: Impunity Watch Guatemala.