Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei criticized the country's best-known graft prosecutor for what he said was a left-wing politicization of the fight against corruption, a view at odds with strong U.S. backing for his work.
Guatemala Congress due to swear in judge linked to graft case
This content was published on June 1, 2021 - 01:28
June 1, 2021 - 01:28
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala s Congress on Monday will swear in a judge linked to a judicial corruption probe to serve on the country s top court, a few days ahead of a visit by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, whose government has urged the country to fight graft.
Incoming Constitutional Court justice Nester Vasquez is due to take the oath of office after an autonomous anti-corruption prosecutor alleged in February that his prior appointment to a lower court was tainted by illicit influence-peddling.
By Sofia Menchu GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) -Lawmakers on Monday ratified the appointment of a judge linked to a judicial corruption probe to sit on Guatemala s top court, a few days before a visit by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, whose government has urged the country to fight graft. Nester Vasquez s ratification as one of five Constitutional Court justices comes after an autonomous anti-corruption prosecutor alleged in February that his prior appointment to a lower court was tainted by illicit influence-peddling. Vasquez has not replied to repeated requests for comment on allegations made by Guatemala s Special Prosecutor Against Impunity that his 2014 election to the Supreme Court of Justice was the result of illegal lobbying of officials and lawmakers. The approval of Vasquez s investiture by Congress grants him immunity from prosecution. He did not take part in the session and is due to be sworn in personally in the days to come. The court s justices must have substitutes. Vasqu