Guatemalan Authorities Gather Evidence Against Former President Giammattei in Corruption Case
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Loading... - Sylvie Payet
- 08 Nov 2024
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Guatemalan authorities have reportedly amassed sufficient evidence to indict former President Alejandro Giammattei for corruption in the high-profile “Red Q” case. The Attorney General's Office is expected to request the lifting of Giammattei's immunity, which is necessary before proceeding with charges of “abuse of authority” and “influence peddling.” These charges stem from the hiring of Melvin Quijivix Vega, the former director of the National Electrification Institute, who was later sanctioned by the United States.
Julio Flores, the presidential commissioner against corruption, emphasized the importance of the Public Prosecutor's Office in seeking the withdrawal of Giammattei's immunity as a deputy of the Central American Parliament, allowing him to stand trial for the allegations against him.
Quijivix Vega is accused of receiving approximately $105,000 between 2021 and 2023 for work purportedly performed for another state entity, a position authorized by Giammattei, despite no actual services being rendered. Carlos Mendoza, the Secretary of Planning and Programming, revealed that Quijivix Vega held a position within the Presidency's Planning and Programming Secretariat (Segeplan) without any clear responsibilities. “His office was simply a warehouse. So all this led us to continue digging deeper into the case,” Mendoza explained.
In July 2023, Quijivix Vega was sanctioned by the U.S. Justice Department, which revoked his visa and barred him from entering the country due to allegations of corruption during his tenure at the National Electrification Institute. The U.S. accused him of using his position to grant contracts to certain companies through corrupt practices.
Since taking office in January, President Bernardo Arévalo has been proactive in addressing corruption, presenting over fifty cases linked to previous administrations, particularly those of Giammattei and former President Jimmy Morales (2016-2020). The ongoing investigations reflect a broader effort to combat corruption and restore accountability within the Guatemalan government.
