Guatemala: Attorney general’s reappointment threatens anti-corruption efforts and civic space
On Monday 16 May, Guatemala’s president re-appointed Attorney General María Consuelo Porras for another four-year term, despite her history of corruption. She has blocked prosecutions of corrupt actors as well as removing and persecuting at least 15 honest lawyers and judges in recent years. Last September, the U.S. included her on its list of “Undemocratic and Corrupt Actors”.
Delia Ferreira Rubio, chair of Transparency International, said:
“Transparency International joins the international community in condemning the re-appointment of Guatemalan Attorney General María Consuelo Porras. With this decision, the president shows that he has no interest in fighting corruption and gives Consuelo Porras free license to escalate her obstruction of legitimate cases and attacks on independent checks on power.
“Empowered by a second term, Consuelo Porras could further repress dissent by initiating criminal investigations against civil society, journalists, activists and independent prosecutors. Without space for independent actors to speak out, corrupt leaders consolidate control and eradicate democracy, transparency and the rule of law. Transparency International and our chapter Acción Ciudadana will continue to closely monitor developments and mobilise against any efforts to erode civic space.”
Notes to editors
- See a statement from Acción Ciudadana, Transparency International’s Guatemala chapter: https://twitter.com/AcGuatemala/status/1526347429095825410
- Transparency International included mention of the attorney general’s corrupt actions in the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index analysis: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2021-americas-a-region-in-crisis
For any press enquiries, please contact
Transparency International Secretariat
Acción Ciudadana[email protected]
