Congress Selects 13 New Judges for Guatemala’s Supreme Court Amid Criticism
Guatemala’s Supreme Court Judges Selected Amid Criticism of Process
In a controversial move, Congress in Guatemala has chosen 13 new judges for the Supreme Court, a decision that has sparked criticism from observers who claim the selection process was opaque and influenced by politics.
The selection of these judges is seen as crucial in the fight against corruption in Guatemala, a country plagued by political scandals and power struggles among elites. President Bernardo Arevalo, who ran on an anti-corruption platform, has been vocal about the need for an independent judiciary to root out corruption in the country.
The outgoing court had faced backlash for supporting Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who had attempted to invalidate Arevalo’s election victory in 2023. Arevalo had called on Congress to choose the best candidates to continue the country’s path towards change.
Despite Arevalo’s plea, three members of the previous court, including two under suspicion of wrongdoing, were reelected. Prosecutor Dimas Jimenez, a close ally of Porras, was not selected for the new court.
Guatemala is ranked as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, according to Transparency International. Arevalo’s anti-corruption efforts have made him a target for prosecutors accused of corruption themselves, including Porras who is under sanctions from the US and EU.
Critics of the selection process have expressed disappointment in the outcome, with human rights advocate Ana Maria Mendez Dardon calling it a “bitter pill” for Arevalo’s fight against corruption. The control of the courts, she warned, will be crucial in ensuring accountability and justice in Guatemala.
The new judges are set to take office on October 13, amidst concerns raised by the Organization of American States about potential interference in the selection process by the public prosecutor’s office. The road ahead for Guatemala’s justice system remains uncertain as the country grapples with deep-rooted corruption and political turmoil.
