United States of America This Wednesday, former president of Guatemala Alejandro Giammattei was sanctioned (2020-2024), being banned from entering its territory and accused him of participating in corruption during his tenure.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller assured in a statement that the United States has “credible information” that the former president “accepted bribes in exchange for the performance of his public duties” during his term in office, which ended with his takeover this Sunday. Bernardo Arévalo de León. Miller emphasized that Giammattei’s actions “undermine the rule of law and the transparency of the government” in Guatemala. “The United States has made clear that it supports Guatemalans seeking to hold corrupt representatives accountable,” the statement said. The statement was included.
The State Department added that today’s action also bans the former president’s children from entering US territory: Ana Marcela Giammattei, Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei and Stefano Giammattei.
Sanction decision issued against former Guatemalan president A few days after Arévalo took officewho achieved victory with his anti-corruption campaign. The transfer of power and the previous electoral process in Guatemala were marked by the initiatives of the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office) and the previous Congress. Preventing the arrival of the new government.
On the other hand, Giammattei was sworn in as a member of parliament in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) for the term 2024-2028, so he remains immune in case of any criminal charges against him. Giammattei and former vice president Guillermo Castillo took their oaths of office virtually on Tuesday before Parlacen, as confirmed by political sources and local media this Wednesday.
Additionally, the US Treasury Department decided to impose a sanction today. Economic sanctions against former Guatemalan Energy Minister Alberto PimentelHe was in Giammattei’s cabinet until July last year. The United States also accused Pimentel of accepting bribes while in office, particularly in exchange for mining and energy operating contracts and licenses in the country.
Since 2021, the United States has imposed sanctions on more than 400 Guatemalan individuals and organizations for corruption, including Attorney General Consuelo Porras.