U.S. restricting visas for nearly 300 Guatemalan lawmakers for ‘undermining democracy’
MIAMI — The Biden administration announced Monday that it has imposed visa restrictions on nearly 300 Guatemalan lawmakers, private sector leaders and their families, whom it accuses of “undermining democracy and the rule of law.”
Guatemala faces mounting criticism by world leaders and watchdogs accusing it of attempts to block progressive President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office in January.
The victory of Arévalo and his Seed Movement party is seen as a threat to those who have long wielded power in Guatemala. The anti-corruption crusader has been a target for months, with arrests of party members, raids and repeated requests to lift his immunity so prosecutors can investigate him directly.
The U.S. State Department in a statement condemned “ongoing anti-democratic actions” by Guatemala’s prosecutors and other actors and noted “intent to delegitimize Guatemala’s free and fair elections and prevent the peaceful transition of power.”
Anti-corruption crusader Bernardo Arévalo won Guatemala’s presidency in a landslide, but now he faces what’s widely considered to be election interference.
The State Department did not provide the Associated Press with the names of those subject to visa restrictions.
In its statement, it said those individuals were “responsible for, or complicit in” political targeting of opposition, intimidation of peaceful protesters, raids, opening of ballot boxes and lifting of immunity of electoral magistrates who certified the election.
Last week, prosecutors alleged that minutes seized during a raid of electoral offices showed that results from the presidential runoff vote Arévalo won in August had irregularities and were therefore void.
Arévalo accused the prosecution of seeking to undermine his ability to govern, and was quickly backed by a growing number of international entities such as the Organization of American States and the European Union, which had sent observers to monitor the election and confirmed that voting adhered to democratic standards.
The Organization of American States cites “coup attempt” after Guatemala prosecutors ask court to strip President-elect Bernardo Arévalo of his immunity.
The visa restrictions imposed by the United States were probably prompted by a series of controversial congressional votes in November. One targeted four electoral magistrates, who later left the country. Another passed a budget that critics say would simultaneously hinder Arévalo from delivering on campaign promises while boosting funding for offices that have supported alleged attacks on democracy.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Friday that the bloc was also contemplating sanctions on those attempting to reverse the vote.
“These latest actions and statements of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala represent an attempt at a coup d’etat, spearheaded by politically motivated prosecutors,” Borrell said in a statement. “They show contempt for the clear will of Guatemala’s citizens.”
Associated Press reporter Sonia D. Perez in Guatemala City contributed to this report.
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