Mounting corruption pressures.
The Supreme Court on October 11 dismissed a complaint against President Jimmy Morales, regarding undeclared monthly payments he was receiving from the military. The move comes in a month that has seen corruption investigations launched into Guatemala City Mayor and former President Alvaro Arzu (1996-2000), and the Foreign Ministry refuse a visa to the head of the UN-led International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Ivan Velazquez -- an individual Morales has previously attempted to expel from the country.
Efforts to renegotiate the CICIG’s mandate could lead to pointed rebuke by the UN.
Perceived efforts to hinder investigations could weigh on international aid, some of which is conditional on anti-corruption progress.
Attorney General Thelma Aldana will step down in May, removing one of CICIG’s strongest allies and undermining its effectiveness.
