Guatemala’s previous govt reportedly spent nearly US$400mn on now halted infra projects

Guatemala’s previous administration, led by Alejandro Giammattei, spent 2.99 billion quetzales (US$386 million) on infrastructure projects that are currently suspended.

Citing figures from a document it received from communications, infrastructure and housing ministry CIV, news outlet La Hora reported that the Giammattei administration started 264 infrastructure projects of which 88 remain suspended, while 96 were finished an 61 are in execution.

Of the total, 136 were overseen by the roads department, 63 by a unit of social solidarity fund FSS, and 65 by the unit for construction of state buildings. 

Some contracts have expired or were suspended. 

For example, around 144mn quetzales were disbursed for four schools in Chimaltenango, El Progreso, Petén and Morales Izabal, which were never finished.

The FSS projects include the 400mn-quetzal modernization of the San José aerodrome in Escuintla, meant to turn into a first-class air terminal. Some works of this project, like the boarding area, were finished but presented defects. 

Unfinished improvement works on highways and rural roads in the FSS portfolio consumed 276mn quetzales. 

The roads department finished 48 projects but 50 remain suspended, while work on 38 continues. Suspended projects include highways and the 1.79bn-quetzal Belize II vehicular bridge, which faces rights-of-way issues. 

The status of other halted projects is unknown and there is no guarantee that current authorities will resume works, La Hora reported.