The World Briefly

September 01, 2023

Holding On Tight

Guatemala

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Guatemala’s Congress refused to recognize seven lawmakers from the Seed Movement party of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo, a move that risks deepening the political crisis in the Central American nation following a tumultuous presidential election, the Associated Press reported.

On Wednesday, the legislative body declared the Seed Movement lawmakers as independents. The decision came two days after Guatemala’s electoral registry suspended Arévalo’s party.

Guatemalan prosecutors have accused the Seed Movement of wrongdoing while collecting signatures for the party’s registration years earlier. Anti-corruption prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche also advised Congress of the party’s suspension despite pending court appeals.

The suspension and the legislature’s decision follows Arévalo’s landslide win in Guatemala’s presidential runoff on Aug. 20. The president-elect has vowed to fight corruption in the country, prompting concern among Guatemala’s ruling elites and organized crime leaders.

Arévalo maintains that the recent accusations and legal and legislative moves are part of a conspiracy to prevent him from taking office, AP wrote separately.

The government began accusing Arévalo and his Seed Movement of electoral shenanigans after the first round of elections that saw the dark horse candidate coming second place after former First Lady Sandra Torres.

Seed Movement lawmakers worry that the decision by Congress will prevent them from holding leadership positions in the legislature and lose the presidency of the sole congressional committee they held.

The party is seeking an injunction to block Congress’ move.

This story originally appeared in the September 01, 2023 newsletter, Old Story, New Horrors.