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☆ Guatemala Congress strips electoral judges of immunity in troubled transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Police stand guard as people gather during a protest accusing Guatemala's authorities of trying to block the accession of President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, in Guatemala City, Guatemala November 21, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Guatemala's ruling-party-led Congress on Friday stripped four electoral judges accused of fraud of their immunity from prosecution, in a move critics fear is aimed at blocking President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office next month. The move by Congress is seen as an attempt to appoint judges who oppose Arevalo's election and is the latest in a series of measures that could hinder the transition of power. Orlando Blanco, a representative for the VOS political party, said the objective was to name anti-Arevalo judges. "They want to ignore the electoral results and they need the electoral court to abide by that decision," Blanco said.

Persons: Guatemala's, Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, general's, Arevalo, Irma Palencia, Ranulfo Rojas, Gabriel Aguilera, Mynor Franco, Orlando Blanco, VOS, Blanco, Sofia Menchu, Sarah Morland, Diane Craft Organizations: Police, REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Congress, San Carlos University, United Nations, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, Palencia, U.S

The Americans held on to win the total-goals series 4-2 and earn spots in the 16-nation Copa América and the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals. As a team, the players, the staff, we need to hold him accountable.”Dest will be suspended for the Nations League semifinal in March. He missed this year’s Nations League final after getting a red card and a three-game ban for scuffling in the semifinal against Mexico. He’s going to learn. He’s going to grow.

Persons: Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, “, ” Ream, Antonee Robinson, didn’t, Walter López, Andre Rampersad, “ It’s, Gregg Berhalter, ” Dest, López, Gio Reyna, Ream, Reyna, Turner, that’s, ” Berhalter, we’re, it’s, ”, Michael Kammarman, Philippe Moggio, Alvaro Urrutia, Moggio, Urrutia, “ Serge, he’s, Berhalter, He’s, we’ve, Paul Caligiuri’s, Robinson, Shannon Gomez, Denzil Smith, ” Robinson, ___ Organizations: Copa América, Trinidad, CONCACAF Nations League, U.S, Dest, Nations League, year’s Nations League, Mexico, CONCACAF Locations: United States, Port, Spain, U.S, Austin , Texas, Guatemalan, ” U.S, Costa Rica

☆ International backlash grows after move to strip Guatemalan president-elect's immunity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Brendan O'Boyle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemala's President-elect Bernardo Arevalo stands on the Square of Human Rights outside the Supreme Court, in Guatemala City, Guatemala November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsNov 18 (Reuters) - International rebuke swelled on Saturday over what observers say are efforts to use a politicized justice system to keep Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo out of office. A prosecutor at Guatemala's attorney general's office on Thursday moved to strip Arevalo of his immunity from prosecution, accusing him and his running mate of complicity in the takeover of a university in the capital last year. In a statement on Saturday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and its Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, condemned the attorney general's office's "incessant improper actions and interference." Earlier Saturday, senior U.S. Department of State official Brian Nichols condemned the attorney general's office's "malign request" to strip Arevalo and his Vice President-elect Karin Herrera of immunity in a post on social media.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Arevalo, general's office's, Brian Nichols, Karin Herrera, Herrera, Guatemalans, General Consuela Porras, Brendan O'Boyle, Chizu Organizations: Human, REUTERS, Guatemalan, Inter, American, Human Rights, U.S . Department of State, Democratic Initiative of Spain, Americas, Grupo IDEA, U.S, Movement, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, Latin America, Spain

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Guatemala’s Attorney General’s office formally requested Friday that President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and others be stripped of their immunity so it can investigate them for allegedly encouraging the student occupation of the country’s only public university. Sánchez formally requested that immunity be lifted for Arévalo, Vice President-elect Karin Herrera, three lawmakers and a deputy-elect from the Seed Movement. Stripping them of immunity allows prosecutors to pursue a formal investigation. Among the crimes prosecutors plan to pursue against Arévalo and others in the new case are exploitation of cultural assets, influence peddling and illegal association. A judge suspended the party at prosecutors’ request.

Persons: —, Bernardo Arévalo, Ángel Saúl Sánchez, Sánchez, Karin Herrera, Arévalo, Walter Mazariegos, General's, Alejandro Balsells, doesn’t, ” Balsells, Consuelo Porras, Alejandro Giammattei Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Cultural, Arévalo’s, Movement, Seed, San Carlos University, U.S . State Department, U.S ., United Nations, Organization of American, Arévalo, Observers Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala

☆ Guatemala's First 3D-Printed Tiny Home Is Earthquake Resistant: Photos
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Using a COBOD printer, 3DCP Group and Progreso have built what they say is Guatemala's first 3D-printed tiny home. Over the last few years, more US startups and real estate companies have been turning to 3D printing construction methods. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODNow, the global 3D printing community is welcoming one of its newest builds: an earthquake-resistant tiny home in Guatemala. Progreso, 3DCP Group, COBODProponents of 3D printing construction say the tech can build homes faster and cheaper with less waste and labor. AdvertisementAdvertisement"I hope that in decades from now, there'll be 3D printers on most construction sites around the globe," Lund-Nielsen said.

Persons: —, 14Trees, it's, Philip Lund, COBOD's, wasn't, Nielsen, Lund Organizations: 3DCP, Service, Central American, Kenyan, Nielsen, LinkedIn, 3DCP Group, Lund Locations: Progreso, Austin , Texas, Madagascar, Kenya, Guatemala, Denmark

☆ Hundreds more join Mexico migrant caravan headed for US, organizer says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Hundreds more people have joined a caravan of thousands of migrants in Mexico bound for the United States, one of the organizers said on Tuesday, as the group traveled through the southern state of Chiapas. On Wednesday, the caravan will aim to reach the town of Huixtla, about 13 miles to the north, Mujica said. U.S. President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection next year, is under pressure to bring down the number of people crossing illegally into the United States from Mexico. Most of the latest caravan are from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela, according to Mujica. The storm is also threatens to lash southern Mexico with rain, potentially affecting the region where the caravan is traveling.

Persons: Irineo Mujica, Mujica, Joe Biden, Pilar, Dave Graham, Michael Perry Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Tuesday, Diego Ore, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, United States, Chiapas, Huehuetan, Tapachula, Guatemalan, Huixtla, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, Darien, Panama, Colombia

☆ Large Migrant Caravan Sets off for US From Southern Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Diego OréMEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A large migrant caravan comprising many Central Americans and Venezuelans left southern Mexico on Monday for the United States, organizers and officials said, as Washington grapples with renewed pressure on its southern border. U.S. President Joe Biden, who is seeking reelection next year, is under pressure to curb the number of people crossing illegally into the United States from Mexico. Most of the latest caravan are from Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras and Venezuela, according to Mujica. Mujica said the migrants opted to leave Tapachula due to frustration about not being able to obtain humanitarian visas. Tropical storm Pilar formed off Central America in the Pacific on Monday, and threatens to dump heavy rain on the region and parts of southern Mexico.

Persons: Diego, Irineo Mujica, Joe Biden, Mujica, it's, Oscar Gutierrez, Pilar, Diego Ore, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Central, Migration Institute, Central America Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, United States, Washington, Chiapas, Tapachula, Guatemalan, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Venezuela, Huehuetan, Acapulco, Darien, Panama, Colombia, Venezuelan

☆ How Columbia Sportswear Is Loosening Its Ties to Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Peter S. Goodman | More About Peter S. Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His company, Columbia Sportswear, had long relied on plants in Asia to make its clothing, but that appeared increasingly precarious. A trade war undermined the benefits of using Chinese factories to keep Americans stocked with windbreakers and fleece pullovers. As Columbia’s head of apparel manufacturing, Mr. Burton, 52, was responsible for diminishing the risks. He visited Zuntex Apparel, a factory in Guatemala City that was already making modest quantities of Columbia’s hooded sweatshirts and button-down fishing shirts. When Mr. Burton reached the back of the cavernous plant, he gawked at an array of Italian-made machines capable of printing elaborate designs that could be pressed onto clothing.

Persons: Stan Burton, Burton Organizations: Apparel Locations: Guatemalan, Columbia, Asia, Central America, United States, Guatemala City

☆ Mexico logs sharp uptick in Venezuelan migrants amid latest surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jose... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreMEXICO CITY, Oct 17 (Reuters) - More migrants crossed into Mexico last month, led by a sharp increase from Venezuela but also significant numbers from Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico's top diplomat told lawmakers on Tuesday. In testimony to Mexican senators, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that in the month of September alone, 60,000 Venezuelan migrants, 35,000 Guatemalan migrants and 27,000 Honduran migrants arrived in Mexico. The September data comes ahead of Sunday's migration summit in the southern Mexican town of Palenque hosted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador where regional leaders will discuss rising U.S.-bound migration in Latin America. After U.S. authorities authorized in May more legal pathways to enter the United States, the numbers of migrants crossing Mexican territory fell abruptly. Barcena also noted that some 1.13 million migrants have so far this year reached Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, and that 1.75 million had reached the U.S.-Mexico border.

Persons: Cheila Gonzalez, Alicia Barcena, Andres Manuel Lopez, Gustavo Petro, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, Barcena, Raul Cortes, Isabel Woodford, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, United States, Ciudad Juarez, Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico, Jose, MEXICO, Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico's, Palenque, America

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — One person died and at least two more were injured by gunshots near a pro-democracy demonstration in Guatemala on Monday, local authorities said. Victor Gomez, spokesman for the volunteer firemen in Malacatan, near the border with Mexico, said it was not clear whether the victims were protesters themselves, or just caught nearby. The incident is the latest violent episode after 15 days of protests and roadblocks in the Central American country. On Sunday, Porras' supporters in Guatemala City called for violence against demonstrators blocking roads. They have called for the resignation of Porras, prosecutors Rafael Curruchiche and Cinthia Monterroso, and Judge Fredy Orellana.

Persons: Victor Gomez, General Consuelo Porras, Bernardo Arévalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arévalo, ”, Porras, Napoleón Barrientos, Rafael Curruchiche, Cinthia, Judge Fredy Orellana Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, National Police, Interior Department, Central American, Movement Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Malacatan, Mexico, Guatemalan, Guatemala City, El

☆ Fact Check: Graphic video of girl burned by mob is from Guatemala, not Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

(Editor’s note: Contains links directing to graphic imagery in paragraphs two and four)A 2015 video of the lynching of a 16-year-old girl in Guatemala has been misrepresented online as showing a young Israeli woman being burnt by a “Palestinian mob” amid the ongoing war between the militant Islamist group Hamas and Israel. They burned alive a 14 year old girl that captures in Israel.” A screenshot of the clip was also posted on Facebook. However, Reuters traced the video to news reports of a 2015 incident where a Guatemalan teenager was lynched after being accused of being a part of a group that killed a taxi driver. Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre reported that the incident took place on May 12, 2015, in Río Bravo, Guatemala. The video of the young woman being tortured is from Guatemala and dates to 2015.

Persons: Read Organizations: Hamas, Facebook, hamas, Reuters, Guatemalan, Prensa Libre, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Israeli, Israel, Kibbutz Re'im, Southern Israel, Guatemalan, Río Bravo

☆ 'Shameful': OAS accuses Guatemala prosecutors of election interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Demonstrators block an avenue as part of a national strike to demand the resignation of authorities from the attorney general's office, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 10, 2023. Luis Almagro, the chief of the Washington-based OAS, called the ongoing investigation by the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office into the party of President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and the electoral authority an unprecedented attack on Guatemala's democracy. "The prosecutors' office has chosen to ignore numerous calls from the international community and its behavior violates democratic norms," Almagro said. Porras' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josue, Luis Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, General Consuelo Porras, Almagro, Porras, Alejandro Giammattei, Sofia Menchu, Kylie Madry, David Alire Garcia, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American States, Guatemalan Attorney General's, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Washington

☆ Guatemala's Arevalo says state using violence to counter protests, warns of possible 'siege'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Josue Decavele Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Guatemala's president-elect Bernardo Arevalo said on Monday the government is using violence to counter protests and create tension which could be used as an excuse for declaring a state of "siege," even as the government announced tighter measures. The attorney general's office has conducted raids on the buildings of electoral authorities and Arevalo's Semilla party headquarters and has moved to suspend the party. Late on Monday, outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei said on national TV the country would no longer tolerate street blockades, which he called illegal. "Many of the blockades in the west of the country have counted on the participation and assistance of foreigners," he said. He also called on Arevalo to meet with OAS mediators to ensure a peaceful handover on Jan. 14.

Persons: Josue, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Nelson Renteria, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo's, El Salvador, Guatemalan, Arevalo .

☆ OAS names mediators for Guatemala conflict that threatens transfer of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] People march to demand the resignation of powerful senior prosecutors accused of working to undermine President-elect Bernardo Arevalo's ability to take office, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 7, 2023. Former Minister of Defense of Uruguay Luis Rosadilla, and the OAS Secretary of Access to Rights and Equity Maricarmen Plata will lead the mission. Tens of thousands took to Guatemala's streets this week, demanding the resignation of powerful senior prosecutors accused of working to undermine Arevalo's ability to take office. Rosadilla and Plata will travel to Guatemala City "at the earliest possible date," and they will be joined by the representative of the OAS office in Guatemala, Diego Paz, the organization specified. Reporting by Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Writing by David Alire Garcia and Anna-Catherine Brigida; editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo's, Josue, Bernardo Arevalo, Luis Almagro, Uruguay Luis Rosadilla, Equity Maricarmen, Diego Paz, Arevalo, Consuelo Porras, Arevalo's, Porras, Sofia Menchu, David Alire Garcia, Anna, Catherine Brigida, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Saturday, Defense, Rights, Equity, Semilla, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, OAS, Uruguay, Guatemalan Government, Rosadilla, Plata, June's, Central

☆ Mexico president says will cooperate with Guatemala president-elect's administration
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Guatemala President-elect Bernardo Arevalo attends a meeting with judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal following a raid last Friday where the attorney general office seized boxes holding tabulations from general election voting, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 2, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Mexico will cooperate with the incoming administration of Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday, after a fraught transition process that has drawn international criticism. "We will help Guatemala, and it will be reciprocal," Lopez Obrador said in a regular morning press conference, adding there was no basis for disagreements on the election. Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Kylie Madry, Sarah Morland Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, MEXICO, Mexico, Guatemalan, Mexican

☆ U.S. says Guatemala ministry is interfering in election transition of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The ministry, which functions similar to the attorney general in other countries, raided the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Friday for at least 20 hours to seize boxes holding tabulations from general election voting. "The United States is gravely concerned with continued efforts to undermine Guatemala's peaceful transition of power to President-elect Arevalo," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said in a statement. The Public Ministry said that it "acts in all cases with objectivity and impartiality to ensure strict compliance with the law." He has repeatedly complained of a "coup d'état" and persecution by prosecutors against him and his party, Movimiento Semilla. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva also on Sunday expressed concern about actions by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Matthew Miller, Volker Türk, Drazen Jorgic, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Justice, GUATEMALA CITY, U.S . State Department, Public Ministry, State Department, Movimiento, United Nations, Human Rights, Public, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, GUATEMALA, United States, U.S, Geneva

☆ 'Atypical' rains kill at least 8 in Mexican state of Jalisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed and another three were injured after a river in the Mexican state of Jalisco burst its banks following unusually heavy rains, another extreme weather event as climate change helps whip up ever deadlier storms. The "atypical" rains completely destroyed four houses and another 50 homes were being evaluated for damages, Gustavo Robles, who heads the municipality of Autlan de Navarro, said at a press conference on Monday. With climate change rainfall can increase or become more erratic, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor – allowing more moisture to build up before clouds finally break. Elsewhere in the region, Guatemalan authorities said on Monday that at least six people were killed after a river burst its banks in the midst of heavy rains that poured over the Central American country on Sunday. Before the Sunday rains, at least 29 people had been killed due to flooding in Guatemala this rainy season, data from its national disaster agency Conred shows.

Persons: Gustavo Robles, Autlan de Navarro, Valentine Hilaire, Michael Perry Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Local, Central American, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexican, Jalisco, Autlan, Guatemala

Public displays rejecting machinations by the attorney general’s office had been modest in the month since Arévalo’s resounding victory. Historically, Guatemala has scored among the lowest in Latin American countries in its support for democracy, according to the AmericasBarometer survey, which has been measuring attitudes there for three decades. But since the election, Guatemalans have seen attempts by losing parties and the attorney general's office to challenge the results. She said that Guatemalans' perceptions of democracy are very much intertwined with their perceptions of corruption. Now, more people "are betting on democracy,” Arévalo said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo, Guatemalans, Arévalo, d’etat, Sandra Paz, “, ”, Paz, “ I’ve, ” Rachel Schwartz, Schwartz, Sandra Torres, Consuelo Porras, Consuelo, Porras, ” Arévalo, __ Sherman Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Vanderbilt University's, Organization of American, Guatemalan, University of Oklahoma, la Constitucion, U.S, Movement, Associated Press Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Guatemala City, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico City

☆ Brazil's Lula warns United Nations of coup risk in Guatemala
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsUNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday of the prospect of a coup in Guatemala, echoing U.S. concerns about risks to democracy in the Central American country after last month's election. "In Guatemala, there is a risk of a coup, which would impede the inauguration of the winner of democratic elections," Lula told the U.N. General Assembly. Lula's comments on Guatemala were surprisingly in line with Washington for a leader who has not always seen eye-to-eye with the United States. He also attacked the International Monetary Fund for not representing poor countries and the World Trade Organization for not averting increased protectionism in the world.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mike Segar, Lula, Bernardo Arevalo, Francisco Mora, Mora, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Brad Haynes, Gabriel Stargardter, Anthony Boadle, Rosalba O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, Central American, General, Party, Prosecutors, Organization of American, U.S, Cuba, . Security, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Guatemala, Washington, United States, Ukraine, New York, Sao Paulo

☆ US Calls for End to 'Intimidation Efforts' in Guatemala Ahead of Presidential Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States urges Guatemalan authorities to end their "intimidation efforts" targeting election officials and members of the party voted to power in last month's presidential elections, the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States said on Monday.

Organizations: MEXICO CITY, United, Organization of American States Locations: MEXICO, United States, U.S

CNN —Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo de León has announced he is temporarily suspending the presidential transition process after Public Ministry agents raided electoral facilities and opened voting boxes. The president-elect denounced the raids, during which Public Ministry agents opened ballot boxes and photographed their contents, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The Public Ministry is investigating allegations that Movimiento Semilla – Arévalo’s Party – used forged signatures when it was seeking authorization as a political party. Giammattei said the presidency is willing to resume the transition process and described Arévalo’s decision to suspend it as “unilateral.”The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala (TSE) held its own press conference to denounce the latest actions of the Public Ministry. Irma Palencia, the TSE’s president, said those actions had put the Guatemalan electoral system and democracy “at risk” and had violated the “civic rights of citizens expressed at the polls.”

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo de León, Alejandro, Giammattei, ” Arévalo, Arévalo, –, Consuelo Porras, “, ”, Irma Palencia Organizations: CNN, Guatemalan, Public Ministry, Ministry, Movimiento, –, Organization of American Locations: Guatemala, Republic of Guatemala

☆ Guatemala President-elect Arevalo suspends participation in transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Guatemala President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei attend a meeting as part of the presidential transition, in Guatemala City, Guatemala September 4, 2023. The announcement came after the top prosecutor's office in the Central American country raided facilities run by Guatemala's main electoral tribunal on Tuesday. Arevalo said his participation in the transition would resume once the "necessary institutional (and) political conditions are reestablished." "We reiterate our firm willingness to immediately resume the transition process as soon as the elected authorities request it," the government added. Shortly before electoral tribunal officials declared Arevalo the victor, his party Semilla was notified that a branch of the tribunal suspended the party over registration flaws.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei's, resoundingly, Semilla, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Carolina Pulice, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, REUTERS oka Acquire, GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, Organization of American States, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, REUTERS oka, GUATEMALA, Guatemalan

☆ Opinion | Guatemala’s Democracy Is Dead. Long Live Democracy!
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Francisco Goldman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In 1944, a student led revolution, which my mother and uncle were part of, helped usher in Guatemala’s decade of democracy after a century of dictators. I was born in Boston in 1954, the year a C.I.A.-led coup overthrew Guatemala’s elected government. But in 2001, three military officers were convicted of participating in his state-sponsored extrajudicial execution, a landmark verdict that seemed to herald a new era of justice. Efforts to build a working democracy by defending the rule of law and fighting corruption has been the central struggle of 21st-century Guatemalan politics. The commission dismantled 70 organized crime and corruption structures, and charged some 680 people, including two former presidents.

Persons: Guatemala’s, Bishop Juan Gerardi, Jimmy Morales, Morales, Giammattei, ”, Consuelo Porras Organizations: United Nations, Guatemalan Public Ministry, U.S, U.S . State Locations: United States, Boston, Latin America, U.S .

☆ AOC says the US should apologize for its history of interventions in Latin America: 'It's very hard for us to move forward when there is this huge elephant in the room'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said the US has to reckon with its history of interventions in Latin America. "I believe that we owe Chile, and not just Chile but many aspects of that region, an apology," Ocasio-Cortez told the publication. "I don't think that apology indicates weakness; I think it indicates a desire to meet our hemispheric partners with respect." "It's very hard for us to move forward when there is this huge elephant in the room and a lack of trust due to that elephant in the room," she continued. "Latin America, I believe, due to its proximity, was absolutely unique in US interventionism during the cold war, and that was under [secretary of state] Henry Kissinger and President Nixon," the congresswoman said.

Persons: Cortez, Alexandria Ocasio, New York Democrat —, Salvador Allende, —, Jacobo Árbenz, João Goulart, Fidel Castro, Castro, Henry Kissinger, Nixon, Augusto Pinochet, We're Organizations: Guardian, Service, New York Democrat, US, Operation Condor Locations: Latin America, Wall, Silicon, Alexandria, Chile, Cuban, Cuba, America, United States, Brazil, Colombia

☆ Guatemala president vows "orderly" power transition following election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo attends a press conference after prosecutors ordered a temporary suspension of Semilla party's legal registration, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 28, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei said Tuesday the path was set for an "orderly and transparent transition" of power following the presidential election, after a new bid to suspend the winning party sowed fresh doubts. Giammattei added that he would meet with President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, who was swept to victory vowing to tackle corruption, on September 4. "The doors are now open towards an orderly, transparent, and above all, efficient government transition," said Giammattei, speaking in a video message published online. Giammattei's statement came after a document from the citizens registry ordering a temporary suspension of Arevalo's Semilla party's legal registration caused new confusion over the election results.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Isabel Woodford, Cassandra Garrison Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo

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