Guatemalan Presidential Selection Process Faces Delays

The Assembly of Social Organizations published an open letter to President Bernardo Arévalo regarding the administrative, financial, and human resource status of the Public Ministry. Deputies from the Semilla party filed a preventive amparo in the Constitutional Court and requested an audit from the Comptroller General's Office. The actions aim to strengthen transparency and institutional safeguards for the Public Ministry during the Attorney General election process. President Bernardo Arevalo continues interviews with candidates as part of the ongoing process. A judge also suspended an intermediate stage hearing for phase 3 of a 2017 tragedy case. These issues have led to questioning from various political blocs regarding actions taken on major highways. Human Rights Watch Americas Director Juan Papier noted that Juan Rodríguez, the future United States ambassador to Guatemala, said the need to prevent undue interference in the elections. The audit aims to verify five key areas: document control and safeguarding, administration of public assets, compliance with administrative and financial regulations, and the existence of institutional transition mechanisms. Anonymous reports have circulated regarding the destruction of information within the ministry. The current prosecutor is accused of attempting to avoid leaving traces of decisions made during her tenure. The lawmaker questioned whether the current process could allow for maneuvers to improperly extend the president's mandate. The discussion focused on ensuring a proper transition of power during the selection process.