By Isela Espinoza /Community Press
In a letter, four Democratic legislators, including Norma Torres, asked the State Department to analyze the sanctions for the country to continue the judicialization of the elections. Among the measures they suggested restricting financing and reviewing Guatemala’s participation in CAFTA. Suspending Guatemala from CAFTA would have a “devastating effect for a country like ours,” says the executive director of the Guatemalan Food Chamber.
The actions that the Public Ministry (MP) and the seventh judge Fredy Orellana have promoted to cancel the legal personality of the Movimiento Semilla party despite the fact that the Constitutional Court (CC) granted an amparo in favor of the political party and emphasize that the elections must continue with a view to the second round on August 20, have led four Democratic congressmen to express their “deep concern” about the current situation.
In a letter addressed to Antonio Blinken, Secretary of State for the United States, the legislators of the House of Representatives: Raúl M. Grijalva, Norma Torres, James P. McGovern and Leonor Holmes Norton expose the events that have happened after June 25 when the preliminary results of the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) evidence of the National Unit of Hope (UNE).
“Despite the international consternation, the FECI (Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity) promised to continue with the investigation of Semilla. These actions and the efforts of high-level officials to interfere in the elections and undermine the confidence of Guatemalans in public institutions arouse deep concern, especially since years of serious decline in the rule of law follow,” the congressmen state in the document.
In addition, to mention that the attorney general, Consuelo Porras and the head of the FECI, Rafael Curruchiche, have been identified as corrupt and included in the Engel List. They also recall that President Alejandro Giammattei has been charged in corruption cases including: bribing construction companies and illegal financing of electoral campaigns.
They stress that journalists and justice operators who have worked against corruption in the country are in exile or have been criminalized.
“If efforts to interfere with elections or frustrate the will of the people continue, a stronger response is warranted, and the United States has several options,” they emphasized.
According to the congressmen, the options in which the Joe Biden government could increase its sanctions are: Guatemala’s participation in the Free Trade Agreement between Central America and the United States (CAFTA), restricting financing from the Development Finance Corporation for projects in Guatemala, using the voice and vote of the United States in multilateral credit institutions to oppose loans to Guatemala, suspending assistance to Guatemala’s military and security forces, and withdrawing the investment initiative announced by the Biden Administration last February.
“Such measures would ensure that American taxpayer funds are not used, nor are our alliances and agreements exploited, to strengthen corrupt power structures that exacerbate poverty and injustice and drive migration,” they added.
Devastating effect for Guatemala
Enrique Lacs, executive director of the Guatemalan Chamber of Food and Beverages, opined that suspending Guatemala from CAFTA would have a “devastating effect for a country like ours.”
CAFTA was negotiated between January 2003 and January 2004 between seven countries and ratified by their Congresses, including the United States. As Lacs explained, CAFTA has a denunciation clause in which each country through its president before the other States can denounce the treaty and it has an effect of 90 days later. However, a complaint cannot be filed by only one country, but must be filed by all of Central America or bilaterally.
Lacs recalled that this was not the first time they have requested a review of Guatemala’s participation in CAFTA. It was also promoted at the time by the former US president, Donald Trump, in the face of the immigration crisis that arose during his administration. In addition, countries like Nicaragua and Honduras have also been threatened with this measure. Despite their political situation, CAFTA continues in these Central American countries.
Currently, within the framework of the benefits granted by CAFTA, Guatemala’s exports to the United States generate US$2.3 billion a year. The figure represents around 27% of the country’s exports to the world.
“There is no more important trading partner than the United States for the country. If CAFTA is taken away from us, we can possibly continue exporting, but not the US$2.3 billion anymore, so that would be a hard blow,” Lacs explained.
The businessman also states that, if the measure were to be carried out, the country would lose the jobs generated by exports to the United States and investment. “Instead of helping the country to improve, they would sink it further,” he added.
Regarding the current situation, he considered that the courts have protected the TSE, so it is resolved that the second round be held with the proclaimed candidates. In addition, he regretted that the actions cause uncertainty and tension at the national and international level.
isela espinoza
Journalist graduated from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala. She worked at elPeriódico as an economics reporter and in the international news section.
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