Latin America Advisor 2023-07-14 – Inter-American Dialogue

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

July 14, 2023

What Is Behind Election Turmoil in Guatemala?

A Guatemalan prosecutor attempted this week to disqualify the party of presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo just weeks ahead of the country’s runoff election. // File Photo: Facebook Page of Bernardo Arévalo.

Q

A Guatemalan prosecutor announced Wednesday that a court had suspended the Semilla, or Seed, party of presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo, threatening his ability to compete against former First Lady Sandra Torres in the country’s Aug. 20 runoff election. On Thursday, Guatemala’s Constitutional Court reversed the ruling, allowing Arévalo to remain on the ballot. The prosecutor who sought to disqualify Arévalo, Rafael Curruchiche, is listed on a U.S. list of corrupt Central American officials and claimed that Seed party members falsified signatures to register their movement in 2019. Why did the prosecutor mount the case now? What do the developments say about Guatemala’s political and legal systems?

A

Mario Polanco, director of Grupo de Apoyo Mútuo in Guatemala City: “Guatemala is living what should be a civic celebration. However, it is marred by attitudes of groups with interests that are not very transparent, as they are linked to promoting impunity that favors human rights violators, drug traffickers and the corrupt. The actions that have been carried out have been aimed at preventing the second round of voting from taking place over fears that a candidate who does not align with their interests will win. In their actions, they have had the support of current government officials, especially the Public Ministry. Despite the fact that these groups and characters have carried out all kinds of legal tricks, they have suffered setbacks that have preserved the rule of law, especially after…”

Top News

Guatemala’s High Court Keeps Arévalo on Ballot

Guatemala’s Constitutional Court on Thursday ruled that center-left presidential candidate Bernardo Arévalo can stay on the ballot for the country’s Aug. 20 presidential runoff election. A day earlier, a lower court had disqualified his party.

Lula’s Economic Team Eyes Interest Rate Cut in Brazil

Members of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s economic team said Thursday that the central bank has room to cut interest rates next month by more than 25 basis points.

Venezuela Won’t Invite Election Observers: Official

Venezuela will not invite European representatives to observe its presidential election next year, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez said Thursday. // File Photo: Venezuelan Government.

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The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.

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Gene Kuleta
Editor
P. 202.463.2920
E. gkuleta@thedialogue.org

Carl David
Goette-Luciak
Reporter

Nili Blanck
Reporter

board of advisors

Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
Inter-American Dialogue

Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

Launch of the Regional Repository of Chinese Investments in Latin America

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peter d. bell rule of law

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