The former director of the Center of Government, Miguel Martínez, was sanctioned with the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, as announced by the United States Department of the Treasury on December 1.
According to the press release, Martínez is sanctioned for “his role in corruption in Guatemala, where he participated in widespread bribery schemes, including schemes related to government contracts.”
The statement also quotes Treasury Undersecretary of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson and says: “Martínez sought to take advantage of his privileged position for personal benefit at the expense of the Guatemalan people.”
Among the allegations against Miguel Martínez is having received “large bribes for facilitating the purchase of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines.” Furthermore, the US claims that he “conspired with other Guatemalan government officials to illegally award contracts.”
Martinez was in charge of the Government Center, an entity created on January 28, 2020, that is, in the first weeks of Alejandro Giammattei’s government, and which had representation in each of the State ministries.
The closure of that entity was announced on December 4, 2020 by the President, amid strong criticism against his management during the citizen demonstrations that occurred in November of that same year. The closure became effective on December 31 and official on January 18, 2021.
Since then he has not held any public position, but he did maintain leadership in the Vamos party, which led Giammattei to the presidency, and continued with a close relationship with the Government.
What implications does the Magnitsky Law have for Miguel Martínez?
The Magnistky Law applies to those people linked by US authorities to human rights violations, acts of corruption, money laundering and drug trafficking.
The implications of being sanctioned with the Magnitsky Act are equivalent to “financial death,” according to analysts.
The sanction includes that no US entity, including banks or credit card companies, can do business with the sanctioned individuals or their companies.
Likewise, US financial institutions cannot relate to others that have ties to those sanctioned. In Guatemala, practically all banks and financial institutions have transaction flows with their peers in the US.
As a result of this sanction, Martínez loses control of all properties and interests he has in the United States and no citizen of that country can do business with him.
2023-12-01 20:24:52
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