US lawmakers step up pressure on Jimmy Morales

Pressure on Guatemala President Jimmy Morales continues to build, with a letter from US legislators calling on the US government to take action to support anti-corruption efforts in the Central American nation.

The action comes amid a renewed political crisis in Guatemala, stemming from Morales barring the head of the UN-backed anti-corruption commission (CICIG) and its head, Iván Velázquez, from re-entering the country.

After refusing to renew the CICIG's mandate in August, the president on September 4 declared Velázquez a threat to "public security" and barred his re-entry into the country, attempted while returning from a work trip in Washington DC.

Morales has been defiant in his stance against the official's re-entry, unwavering in a speech before the UN General Assembly Tuesday, saying: "In essence, the CICIG has become a threat to peace in Guatemala."

The US letter came two days later on Thursday.

"President Morales' decision not to renew CICIG's mandate and to bar Velásquez' entry is a dangerous setback for anti-corruption, transparency, and accountability efforts in Guatemala," the lawmakers wrote to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "It is more important than ever that the United States demonstrate leadership and effective engagement with the Guatemalan government to reverse these decisions."

"These events threaten the independence and effectiveness of CICIG, which has been the most effective example for anti-corruption, counter-trafficking and accountability efforts in the region," continued the letter, signed by 23 legislators from the minority Democratic party.

The US legislators also mentioned the September 16 ruling by Guatemala's top court ordering the readmission of Velázquez, who has been leading efforts to prosecute Morales on illegal campaign finances charges in collaboration with local prosecutors.

The differences between the Guatemalan president and CICIG emerged in January 2017 when the commission, along with the prosecution, requested the arrest of the son and brother of the president, accused of corruption for which they are being tried.

Tensions erupted seven months later when authorities asked congress to withdraw Morales' immunity to investigate him for hiding the financial information of the party that took him to power.

The US lawmakers also called on Pompeo to submit a list of officials from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador that may be subject to sanctions under the Magnitsky law, a US statute that targets foreigners accused of corruption and human rights violations.

The congressmen recalled that the consolidated appropriations law that conditions 50% of aid to Guatemala on whether the state department can certify that the Central American government is "cooperating with commissions against corruption and impunity."

"We believe that President Morales' recent actions do not meet with the congressional conditions required for assistance for the Guatemalan government, including security assistance," added the letter."

Pictured: President Jimmy Morales before an address to the UN General Assembly September 25.