The US recently added three Guatemalan prosecutors and a judge to its list of individuals barred from obtaining US visas. The action comes as a significant development amid an ongoing election dispute, with these individuals having pursued President-elect Bernardo Arevalo on corruption charges.
Despite his contentious ascent and his ambitious anti-corruption campaign, Arevalo’s route to presidency has faced several hurdles and opposition efforts, including attempts to discomfort his imminent inauguration slated for January 14.
The barring was part of the US State Department’s annual report to Congress, highlighting corruption in Central America. The report underlines that the blacklisted individuals were allegedly partaking in activities designed to undermine democratic processes and institutions, accused of running politically motivated investigations intended to bring uncertainty to certified election outcomes, ultimately causing disturbances in the presidential transition.
The embargoed individuals will no longer be eligible for US visas, and any current visas will instantly be revoked. Notable among the blacklisted is prosecutor Leonor Morales. It was Morales who, during a December 8 press conference, declared the elections as “null and void,” asserting they were not originally authorized by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
Morales’s declaration immediately incited concern from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, drawing attention to the announcement as an attempt to nullify the general election outcomes and undermine the constitution and existence of the Movimiento Semilla party. Türk deemed the announcement as disturbing.
Despite these tumultuous circumstances, Arevalo remains optimistic about his upcoming administration and his commitment to combating corruption. In an interview with the AFP, he stated that he has “no doubt” his inauguration will proceed as planned and he is determined to fight corruption “without fear.”