 | | 20/01/2023: Impunity reloaded |
| | Hi Nuri, | | This week, Guatemala took some serious steps in the wrong direction when it comes to fighting corruption and protecting those who safeguard the vital interests of the country. On Monday, authorities issued arrest warrants and announced legal action against individuals who had been instrumental in fighting corruption in the Odebrecht bribery case. |  | | Photo: Sebastian Barros/Shutterstock | | If you follow corruption in Latin America, this probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard of Odebrecht. Back in 2015, allegations came to light that the Brazilian-based construction giant had paid more than US$780 million in bribes to win contracts and benefits across Latin America. Countries across Latin America handled the case differently, but Guatemala was a bright spot. Through the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) – an independent international body in charge of investigating and prosecuting large-scale crimes in Guatemala – and the work of honest and capable investigators, the country jailed those responsible, including a former presidential candidate Manuel Baldizón and former Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing Alejandro Sinibaldi. But during his term previous President Jimmy Morales began to dismantle such progress. In 2019 Morales terminated the agreement with the United Nations that set up the CICIG, creating conditions for the state to be co-opted by economic and political elites, certain sectors of the business community and organised crime. Unfortunately, current President Alejandro Giammatei has followed Morales’ lead, allowing for the continued dismantling of anti-corruption efforts. During this presidency, corrupt actors have taken over the judicial system and forced into exile prosecutors and judges recognised for fighting corruption and triggered the unjustified arrests of the journalists – such as José Rubén Zamora, who has been in jail for 6 months. Just yesterday, Guatemalan authorities issued an arrest warrant against Zamora’s lawyers for “obstructing” the investigation. |  | | Photo: rokosvisualvibes/Shutterstock | | Such obstruction continued last week when Baldizón was allowed out of prison after paying US$229,640 in bail. There are suspicions that Sinibaldi may also be released soon. The release was handled by the head of Guatemala's Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity, Rafael Curruchiche, who himself was included last year in the US State department List of Corrupt and Undemocratic Actors for hampering investigations. Continuing down this dangerous path, on Monday Curruchiche issued warrants of arrest for several of those who helped bring accountability for the Odebrecht case, including David Gaitán, a member of Transparency International Guatemala and a former investigator at the CICIG. The office also announced legal action against Iván Velázquez, the current Minister of Defence in Colombia, who led the CICIG for many years. This was a bleak day for a country – and a region – already struggling to fight corruption. Latin America scored 43 out of 100 for a third year in a row in the 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Guatemala earned only 25 out of 100, and has significantly declined in score over the last decade. Wondering how Guatemala did in the 2022 CPI that comes out this month? Check back on Tuesday 31 January to see how it fares. | | | What do you think? Let us know @anticorruption. |
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