The Organization of American States (OAS) recently expressed strong condemnation of the recent actions taken by Guillermo’s attorney general. According to the OAS, these acts involve delays and fraud allegations related to recent regional election results, which are considered unconstitutional and part of broader tactics to intimidate and cast doubt on the electoral process.
This statement was issued directly by the Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) of the OAS. This body has reported multiple instances of constitutional rights violations in the region and instances of power abuses.
This series of events began following the recent election of Bernardo Arévalo to the Guatemalan presidency in August 2023. This election saw serious opposition from Guatamala’s chief prosecutor. However, as reported by Reuters, “that move boomeranged, propelling Arévalo’s name further into the headlines and prompting an outpouring of support from across the political spectrum.”
In the ensuing period after the election, the Public Prosecutor’s Office performed five raids. Accusations by the OAS suggest that these raids were undertaken unlawfully and without compelling cause, one of which was carried out on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s headquarters. The OAS also maintains that lately, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has rejected numerous judicial appeals and petitions amidst accusations of scandalous authority abuse and fraud. In the words of the OAS/EOM:
” … this permanent siege without grounds or clear motivation by the [Public Prosecutor’s Office] constitutes a political persecution reminiscent of those carried out by authoritarian regimes. An attack of this nature is unprecedented in electoral observations in recent decades and constitutes a shameful example for the hemisphere. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has chosen to ignore the numerous calls from the international community and its behavior violates democratic standards.”
In conclusion, the OAS has issued a stark warning: “The actions of the Public Prosecutor’s Office are an intolerable violation of Guatemala’s Constitution.”