Washington, D.C. - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statement on the recent threats to Guatemala’s democracy following certification of the June 25 first-round presidential election results.
“We firmly support the Guatemalan Supreme Elections Tribunal’s (TSE) certification this week of the results of the June 25 presidential elections, which was independently verified by the Organization of American States as having no serious irregularities. In light of the TSE’s decision, however, we are deeply concerned by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office’s attempt to illegally revoke the legal status of the political party of an opposition candidate in advance of the country’s August 20 runoff presidential elections. The Attorney General Office’s decision is a blatant attempt to undermine the will of the Guatemalan people that attempts to circumvent the electoral certification made by the TSE and violates Guatemala’s electoral laws.
“The people of Guatemala must be able to elect their next president without interference, and the second round of presidential elections must take place on August 20 with the top two candidates supported by the Guatemalan people in the first round. We stand with the Guatemalan people in their peaceful demonstrations in support of the integrity of their country’s democratic institutions, and will continue to closely monitor and respond to further attempts to jeopardize the credibility and fairness of the country’s electoral processes."
As the lead Republican on the Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act, McCaul also calls on the Biden administration to make full use of the Section 353 sanctions authorities in response to the undemocratic and corrupt actions taken by Guatemalan political actors.