“Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina was recently named The Latin Trade’s Leader of the Year for 2013 in recognition “for reshaping Guatemala’s foreign trade and investment outlook, effectively implementing changes to position the country as an attractive destination for investment in Latin America”. The World Bank’s annual Doing Business report also recognised Guatemala as one of the world’s top business regulation reformers for 2012-13 because of its success in reducing obstacles to start a business, improving the way construction permits are distributed, and simplifying its tax system.

It is unfortunate that the international community chose to celebrate Molina and Guatemala with such recognition during a year in which there have been so many setbacks for democracy. I do hope that Molina and the Guatemalan government and business community will one day earn these rewards, but 2013 was not their year.”

Interesting article from Mike Allison on Al Jazeera – you can read the full piece here.

Categories: Human Rights, Legal