Background on President Bernardo Arévalo and the Fiscal General Consuelo Porras
President Bernardo Arévalo, a social democrat who assumed office in January 2024, has been embroiled in a conflict with the controversial Fiscal General, Consuelo Porras. Both the United States and the European Union have sanctioned Porras for being “corrupt” and “undemocratic.”
Allegations Against President Arévalo and His Brother
The Guatemalan Prosecutor’s Office accused President Arévalo of illegally transferring control of the country’s ports to Chinese companies. This accusation, however, was dismissed by the government as baseless.
Fiscal Rafael Curruchiche, who has also been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, announced three searches following a corruption complaint. Curruchiche claims that President Arévalo and his brother, Martín Arévalo, a biologist specializing in public policies working for the UN in Costa Rica, were involved in transferring control of the ports to Chinese companies.
Details of the Searches and Ports Involved
The searches took place in the southern municipality of San José, home to Puerto Quetzal, the only operational maritime terminal in Guatemala’s Pacific region. Curruchiche shared this information via a video posted on social media.
The Secretariat of Communication Social of the Presidency rejected Curruchiche’s allegations, calling them “spurious and absurd.” They also mentioned that this accusation was launched weeks before Guatemala is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the US Navy to enhance and expand the Empresa Puerto Quetzal (EPQ).
Understanding the Empresa Puerto Quetzal (EPQ)
The EPQ is a state-autonomous entity that operates Guatemala’s port. Although Guatemala has commercial ties with China, it lacks diplomatic relations due to its recognition of Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province.
History of Investigations Against President Arévalo
The Prosecutor’s Office frequently announces investigations against Arévalo, but they fail to progress because the president enjoys immunity.
Porras destabilized the 2024 presidential transition by initiating investigations against Arévalo and questioning the results of the elections he won in 2023, which Arévalo denounced as an attempted “coup d’état.”
Arévalo seeks Porras’ resignation from her position, which extends until May 2026. However, he lacks the authority to remove her.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is President Bernardo Arévalo? He is a social democrat who assumed office in Guatemala in January 2024.
- Who is Fiscal General Consuelo Porras? She is a controversial figure sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for corruption and being undemocratic.
- What are the allegations against President Arévalo? The Guatemalan Prosecutor’s Office accuses him of illegally transferring control of the country’s ports to Chinese companies.
- What is Empresa Puerto Quetzal (EPQ)? It’s a state-autonomous entity that operates Guatemala’s port, currently the subject of discussions for improvement and expansion with the US Navy.
- Why are there tensions between Arévalo and Porras? Porras destabilized the 2024 presidential transition by initiating investigations against Arévalo, which he denounced as an attempted “coup d’état.”
