The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo de Leónstated this Sunday that his Government will not allow the security forces to execute “illegal” orders issued by the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office)led by Consuelo Porras Arguetainternationally sanctioned for corruption. The statement comes after a raid on the residence of the former Minister of Communications, Felix Alvaradomember of the ruling party Seed Movement.
In an emergency press conference, Arévalo described “spurious” the judicial action and assured that “justice in Guatemala is in crisis”.
The president once again summoned Consuelo Porras to explain her actions, as required by law. In addition, he announced the creation of a mechanism to prevent the public forces under his command from executing orders that he considers illegal.
The raid, carried out by the National Civil Police under instructions from the Prosecutor’s Office, targeted the residence of Félix Alvarado, investigated for alleged money laundering. However, the case is under confidentiality, which limits public access to the details of the investigation.
“Today we are once again witnesses of one more spurious action by the Public Ministry”, stressed the president, who assumed the presidency in January.
Félix Alvarado left his position as Minister of Communications this week, after just six months in the position. According to Alvarado, his departure responded to differences with President Arévalo over the direction of the institution. Analysts point out that his management had closed a “historical focus of corruption” linked to bribes from construction companies, a recurring problem in the country.
The official deputy Samuel Perez Alvarez He denounced the raid as a political attack. “What they want to do with Félix Alvarado is an open and direct declaration of confrontation by the Public Ministry”said Pérez, accusing the Prosecutor’s Office of seeking measures such as retaining the former minister’s passport.
The raid on Alvarado’s residence joins more than a dozen judicial proceedings that the Public Ministry has initiated since 2023 against the Seed Movement and its members after their electoral victory. Among these, the arrest of the former deputy stands out Ligia Hernandezwho spent more than 90 days in prison.
The official party and international organizations have classified these actions as attempts by the Prosecutor’s Office to destabilize the Government and reverse the electoral results. Consuelo Porras, head of the Public Ministry, and her leadership have been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union for corruption and attacks against democracy.
Arévalo reiterated his commitment to protecting institutions and denounced that these judicial actions are a direct threat to democracy. “We will not allow the public force to execute illegal orders that are issued by the Public Ministry”, he stated.
The president highlighted that Guatemala is going through a critical moment in its justice system and pointed out that it is essential to act firmly to guarantee respect for the law. “The duty of institutions is to defend the rule of law, not destroy it,” he added.
The international community has expressed its concern about the situation in Guatemala, where the sanctions against Consuelo Porras have been interpreted as a message of rejection of the corrupt practices of the Prosecutor’s Office.
Meanwhile, the Arévalo government faces the challenge of guaranteeing institutional stability in the face of what it describes as continued judicial harassment.
(With information from EFE)
