José Luis Sanz writes in El Faro about the sworn testimonies regarding bribery and campaign contributions relating to the election of President Alejandro Giammattei, and the attempts by the Attorney General’s office to put a brake to the investigations. It… Read More ›
El Faro
The Origins of Racism in Guatemala — An Interview with Marta Elena Casaús Arzú on Anti-Indigenous Racism
Plaza Pública published an interview with Marta Elena Casaús Arzú in 2017 by Carlos Arrazola and the subsequent English translation was published in El Faro. It is a fascinating interview on race and racism in Guatemala. Marta Elena Casaús Arzú… Read More ›
“Becoming president of Guatemala requires resources that I don’t have”
Roman Gressier presents, in El Faro, an interview with Martín Toc, the President of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán. Few organizations can paralyze Guatemala without setting foot in the capital. The 48 Cantons of Totonicapán, a Maya K’iche’ Indigenous authority… Read More ›
Guatemala Tries to Repeat the 2015 Uprising against Corruption
Roman Gressier writes in El Faro about the national strike, called last week, in response to the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval. The paro nacional also confronted the government response to the pandemic, as well as rampant corruption. The national… Read More ›
“It’s Hard to Find an Honest Judge in Guatemala Now”
Ahead of the news of the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval, the head of FECI, at the weekend, El Faro published an interview with leading Guatemalan human rights advocate, Helen Mack. Alongside Sandoval, Gloria Porras, Érika Aifán, and Jordán Rodas,… Read More ›
Guatemala’s Top Anti-Corruption Attorney Flees Country
On Saturday, July 24th, El Faro published a breaking news note regarding the sacking of Guatemala’s leading prosecutor and chief anti-corruption figure, Juan Francisco Sandoval, and his subsequent flight to safety. Needless to say, these events will have serious consequences… Read More ›
The Election of Gloria Porras by the University High Council
Impunity Watch have just published a report, in Spanish, regarding the election of Gloria Porras to the Constitutional Court. On 4 March 2021, the Superior University Council (Consejo Superior Universitario – CSU) of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala… Read More ›
Guatemala’s Counterattack against Anti-Corruption Campaign
Gabriel Labrador writes in El Faro about the concerted attack by affected powers against anti-corruption figures in Guatemala. Targets include Judge Erika Aifán, who leads the capital’s highest-risk ‘D’ court, the Director of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI),… Read More ›
“Whether on the Court or Not, I Swore to Protect the Constitution”
“This is an affront to democracy, and each and every citizen of the country should be offended,” José Luis Sanz presents an interesting and timely interview with Magistrate Gloria Porras in El Faro English. As presented here, and elsewhere, the… Read More ›
A Final Blow to Guatemala’s Justice System
It is crucial that in the coming years, new coalitions coalesce between businesses, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and international allies, to promote a democratization of the country. Otherwise, the only path forward will be the one that leads to authoritarianism…. Read More ›