Washington, DC—In response to the announcement by Guatemala President Jimmy Morales that he will not renew the mandate of the UN-sponsored International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), leading research and advocacy group the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) issued the following statement by Director for Citizen Security Adriana Beltrán:
“The CICIG and Commissioner Iván Velásquez have made an invaluable contribution to strengthening the rule of law and tackling systemic corruption in Guatemala. This decision is an attempt by President Morales to protect his own interests in light of the ongoing probe into possible illicit campaign finance crimes. The failure to renew the CICIG mandate represents a broader attack against efforts to create just, transparent, and functioning justice systems in Central America. It’s essential that the U.S. Congress make clear that this move will bring about serious consequences. Combating corruption and impunity is critical to addressing the violence, insecurity and poverty which is driving so many to migrate from Central America to the United States.”
