August 2, 2021–Corruption has long plagued Guatemala, as well as the broader Central American region. It’s one of the root causes of mass migration from the region to the United States. Moreover, it has a corrosive effect on the political and economic systems in Northern Triangle.
Occasionally, we come across one incident or event that illustrates the larger problem. That happened this Summer as a special prosecutor fighting corruption in Guatemala fled for his life after getting sacked from his position.
Who Is Juan Francisco Sandoval? And Why Does He Matter?
Juan Francisco Sandoval is a respected Guatemalan who worked as an anti-corruption prosecutor in the Office Against Impunity (FECI). The office plays a significant role in fighting Guatemalan corruption. Sandoval is most known for charging former President Otto Pérez Molina with corruption in 2015. Earlier this year, the U.S. State Department awarded him with the first International Anticorruption Champions Award.
That work ended on Friday, July 23.
Sandoval Sacked
On Friday, July 23, Attorney General for Guatemala Consuelo Porras dismissed Sandoval. Porras cited abuses against the constitutionality of the ministry, but she did not provide details of the alleged abuses.
The Guatemalan government said the AG removed Sandoval due to “constant abuses and frequent abuses to the constitutionality.”
Political Persuasion?
In an interview with Reuters in June, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei accused Sandoval of letting his ideology sway his judicial decisions. “Everybody has a right to their own ideology. The problem is when you transfer that ideology to your actions, and worse when you are in charge of justice,” he said.
Furthermore, the Associated Press reported that Porras consistently denied Sandoval’s attempts to lift government officials’ immunity to corruption charges.
Response to Dismissal
In response to the firing of Sandoval, Iván Velásquez, former head of the UN Anti-Corruption Commission, said “the international community should protect him immediately.”
The Biden Administration responded by ending its corruption with the Guatemalan Attorney General’s office.
Some observers, like Mary Anatasia O’Grady writing in the Wall Street Journal, say it’s wrong for the United States to take sides. However, the recent flare-up is a reminder that corruption is endemic in the region.
‘Fits A Pattern’
A State Department spokesperson said the firing by the Guatemalan government “fits a pattern of behavior that indicates a lack of commitment to the rule of law and independent judicial and prosecutorial processes.”
“Of course, we have lost confidence in the attorney general and her intention to cooperate with the United States Government and fight cooperation in good faith,” said Jalina Porter., State Department spokesperson “To that end, we’re concerned with the implications of this decision for the rule of law, and that would include regional stability.”
Additional reporting for this story by Patti Mohr. Additional Sources for this story include Democracy Now July 26, 2021, Reuters July 24, 2021 and The Washington Post July 23, 2021.
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