The son of former Guatemalan president Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen (1996-2000), Alvaro Arzú Escobarconfirmed this Wednesday that his US visa was withdrawn after voting in Congress in favor of the withdrawal of immunity for several electoral magistrates.
Arzú Escobar, current deputy, told journalists that the ban on entering the United States was made official for him, as part of more than 300 visas revoked last week by the State Department of Joe Biden’s Government.
Read also: US announces visa restriction for 300 Guatemalans, including 100 deputies
“What I want to understand is why this issue of visas generates so much fuss. For me, in particular, what would worry or embarrass me is not being able to enter my own country.”Arzú said in statements to Guatevisión.
👀 Deputy Álvaro Arzú, of the Unionist Party, confirms that his visa to enter the US 🇺🇸 was canceled by the @StateDept.
«What would worry me is not being able to enter my own country. “That would be being away from my family and friends,” she says.
It also explains why it was… pic.twitter.com/KCO3HAuBkz
— Carlos Kestler (@carlosrkestler) December 13, 2023
Withdrawal of immunity
The legislator indicated that he voted in favor of the withdrawal of immunity for judges due to an alleged overvaluation of computer equipment. But this should not interfere with the results of the elections.
Arzú Escobar added that each country “It’s in your right” to prevent the entry of whoever you consider.
Arzú Irigoyen’s son voted on December 1 to remove the immunity of three judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. This along with 108 other legislators of the 160 that make up Congress.
A week later, on December 8, the Public Ministry indicated that the elections should be annulled due to alleged irregularities by the electoral court. Although the state entity does not have the power to determine the result of the elections, according to Guatemalan law.
For his part, deputy Boris España Cáceres, member of the Board of Directors of Congress, also indicated to the media that “we are respectful” of the decisions of other nations, in “this case the United States.”
MP tries to reverse Arévalo’s victory
Since last July 12, the Guatemalan Prosecutor’s Office has tried to reverse the victory of the president-elect in the elections, Bernardo Arévalo de León, of the progressive group Movimiento Semilla, and who has promised a frontal fight against corruption.
The top prosecutor’s office and some members of the business elite are also prohibited from entering the United States.
Arévalo de León must take office on January 14, replacing the current president, Alejandro Giammattei.
Last September 1, the president-elect said that the attorney general and head of the Public Ministry, Consuelo Porras Argueta, is carrying out a “coup d’état” against him to prevent his inauguration.
