Jo-Marie Burt and Paulo Estrada wrote in El Faro English on the further dismantling of the independent justice system and its effects on a particularly important historical case. For decades, survivors and the families of the victims of the Death Squad… Read More ›
Corruption
June 2023 Election Poses Critical Test for Guatemalan Democracy
Dozens of mostly conservative candidates are expected to compete in the June general election as divided elites seek control of a state emptied of its anti-corruption judges and prosecutors. Election lawfare to block candidacies could tip the scales, as it… Read More ›
The ‘Sharpshooter’ Targetting The Leaders Of The Fight Against Corruption In Guatemala
‘The ‘Sharpshooter’ Targetting The Leaders Of The Fight Against Corruption In Guatemala’ is the result of an investigation carried out by Guatemala Leaks and CONNECTAS and published, in this instance, on the website of Agencia Ocote. It tells the story… Read More ›
Anti-corruption prosecutor in Guatemala given 4-year jail term
The International Association of People’s Lawyers (IAPL) have noted the sentencing of Virginia Laparra to a four year jail term, further undermining the fight against corruption in Guatemala, the corruption being carried out by the business and military elites, as… Read More ›
Anti-Mining Networks Support Land Defense Movements in Central America
In Guatemala and Honduras, regional anti-mining networks have become key players in struggles to combat extractivism and the criminalization of activists. Giada Ferrucci and Pedro Cabezas write in NACLA on extractivism and resistance in Central America, focussing on Guatemala and… Read More ›
Guatemala’s Authoritarian Slide Under Giammattei Is Putting Biden in a Bind
Party volatility remains extremely high. In 35 years of formal democracy, almost 100 political parties have come and gone Dinorah Azpuru writes in World Politics Review about the challenges facing justice and democracy as Guatemala looks forward to elections next… Read More ›
TrialWatch to Monitor Guatemalan Journalist’s Trial
The Clooney Foundation for Justice has posted a piece regarding the trial of José Rubén Zamora, another example of the state criminalising someone seeking to shine a light on corruption within the Guatemala system. This is as part of their… Read More ›
Guatemala: former president sentenced to 16 years for corruption
Otto Pérez Molina and his vice-president found guilty seven years after they were forced from office but culture of impunity persists Jeff Abbott writes in The Guardian about the sentencing of the former president and his vice-president following their being… Read More ›
International Organisations Denounce Serious Setbacks in ‘Diario Militar’ Case
International organisations recently issued a statement denouncing decisions made regarding the Diario Militar case, or ‘Death Squad Diary’ case, which seek to shut down the case contrary to law and violating the right of families to a prompt and fulfilled… Read More ›
La Puya – A Mining Lawsuit In Guatemala Shows How Trade Courts Put Locals Last
A U.S. mining company is suing Guatemala over a shuttered project. The state relied on affected communities to mount a legal defense, but now it’s trying to bypass them to open the mine. Ana Sandoval writes in Foreign Policy In… Read More ›