Guatemala's Attorney General's Office rejects Canadian sanctions for acts of corruption

GUATEMALA CITY, February 20 (EFE).- The Public Ministry (Public Prosecutor's Office) of Guatemala on Tuesday rejected the sanction issued by the Canadian Foreign Ministry against the Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, and three other officials accused of corruption.

The Attorney General's Office said in a statement in response to the punishment announced by Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Jolie that these are “false allegations” and threaten “the system of legitimacy and democracy.”

Canada decided on Tuesday to join the United States and the European Union in imposing sanctions on Boras, prosecutors Rafael Corochici and Cynthia Monterosso, and criminal judge Jamie Bremer, for trying to overturn President Bernardo Arevalo de León's electoral victory in 2023. .

The Canadian Department noted, “Those sanctioned have worked tirelessly to undermine democracy and prevent the peaceful transition of power. These sanctions will work to deter obstructive actions by corrupt officials and support the democratically elected government of Arevalo de León.”

For its part, the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office responded that its officials had been victims of “systematic intimidation attacks.”

Canada's sanctions prohibit Canadian citizens or companies, or residents of the country, from maintaining relationships with the four Guatemalan officials, freeze any assets they may have in the North American country, and prohibit them from traveling to Canada.

Since July 12, 2023, the Public Ministry of Consuelo Porras has attempted, through various criminal cases, to abolish Arevalo de León's Similla Movement party, in addition to submitting three petitions to withdraw immunity against the current governor of Guatemala.

Furthermore, Arevalo de León publicly accused Porras of directing a “coup” attempt against him to prevent his inauguration, which ultimately did not prevent it from occurring on 14 January.

The new president of Guatemala is the first social democratic president in the Central American country, and he won the elections due to his promises to fight corruption and his surprising defeat of the traditional candidates who appeared at the ballot boxes. Evie

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