The United States stated that they will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for those who undermine it.
Alejandro Giammatteiformer president of Guatemalareceived a sanction on Wednesday, and subsequent ban from entering the United States, for his involvement in significant corruption, the State Department reported in a statement.
“The State Department is appointing Alejandro Eduardo Giammattei Falla, former president of Guatemala, as is generally ineligible to enter the US due to involvement in significant corruption“explains the note.
The US “has reliable information indicating that Giammattei accepted bribes in exchange for the performance of his public duties during his term as president of Guatemalaactions that undermined the rule of law and government transparency.”
Furthermore, the statement reads that, “corruption weakens the rule of law and democratic institutions, allows impunity, fuels irregular migration, hinders economic prosperity and reduces the ability of governments to respond effectively to the needs of its citizens.”
The US reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency and governance in Guatemala and throughout the Western Hemisphere. “We will continue to use all available tools to promote accountability for those who undermine it.“says the note.
Other US sanctions
The State Department recalled that in the last three years, the US took measures “to impose visa restrictions or sanctions on nearly 400 people, including public officials, private sector representatives and their families, for engaging in corrupt activities or undermining democracy or the rule of law in Guatemala“.
Earlier, the US Treasury Department had imposed sanctions on the former Guatemalan Minister of Energy and Mines Alberto Pimentel for alleged corruption.
Pimentel became Minister of Energy and Mines in January 2020 and subsequently resigned in July 2023.
The US maintains that the former official participated in numerous corruption schemes related to government contracts and licenses during his tenure.
Source: Ambito
