The European Union has imposed sanctions on five Guatemalan officials, including Attorney General María Consuelo Porras and other top officials of the Public Prosecutor's Office, for undermining democracy. These sanctions come amidst concerns of a slide into authoritarian rule in Guatemala and broader political turmoil in Latin America. In response, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Guatemala threatened to take unilateral legal actions through the Central American Integration System (SICA). Meanwhile, concerns about the state of democracy extend to El Salvador, where the US and human rights groups have expressed serious concerns regarding the upcoming presidential and legislative elections. There are fears that the elections may not be free and fair, with US members of Congress questioning the State Department's support for President Nayib Bukele's unconstitutional re-election bid and citing human rights violations, militarization, and political persecution.
Today, #ElSalvador holds presidential and legislative elections. In a recent commentary, @TheWilsonCenter’s @benjamingedan highlighted the value of US diplomacy to stem the rising tide of authoritarianism in #LatinAmerica. https://t.co/WWoPwuu8OF
RM @RepGregoryMeeks: "We're watching with great interest as Pakistanis go to the polls on Feb 8th. The right to choose one’s elected representatives without fear of violence is key for any democracy. It's critical the election’s outcome reflects the will of the Pakistani people.
The tragedy in #ElSalvador is that many local & international scholars have been warning for years—since at least the time #Bukele called out the military to intimidate Congress—that Bukele was eroding democracy. Few in DC establishment seemed to care. Now might be too late!
⚠️Today, organizations @CISPES, @HopeBorder & @LAWGaction express serious concerns about the possibility of free and fair elections in #ElSalvador on Sunday. #Elecciones2024Sv https://t.co/9KlyHZ5Neq
⚠️Today, organizations @CISPES @HopeBorder @LAWGaction express serious concerns about the possibility of free and fair elections in #ElSalvador on Sunday. #Elecciones2024Sv https://t.co/7Zz5wy9bDC
🗳️With #ElSalvador's presidential & legislative elections on Sunday, US members of Congress question the @StateDept's recent gestures of support for Nayib Bukele, citing his unconstitutional re-election bid, human rights violations, militarization, and political persecution ➡️ https://t.co/5tHzrimtJO
Threats to free and fair elections anywhere is concerning. In light of recent events in Pakistan and the upcoming election, let’s be clear: promoting stability, democracy, and human rights around the globe is paramount to maintaining our values worldwide.
In Guatemala, the Public Prosecutor's reaction to the recent slate of European Union diplomatic sanctions aimed at the Attorney General's inner circle: a threat to take unilateral legal actions through SICA, the Central American Integration System, a regional supranational body. https://t.co/AUATeoXvr4
🚨EU sanctions vs. #Guatemala Atty Grl María Consuelo Porras & 3 other top officials of the Public Prosecutor's Office linked to corruption and undermining democracy—Ángel Pineda, Rafael Curruchiche and Leonor Morales—along with judge Fredy Orellana. https://t.co/lXjtpFivRo
🗳️🇸🇻As #ElSalvador approaches #elections in the context of serious human rights violations and a profound deterioration of the rule of law, the international community should join efforts to defend the democratic order. ✍️@AniMendezD explains: https://t.co/5kylKfwNtm
“This attention by senior US officials reflects the far-reaching implications of allowing Guatemala to slide into authoritarian rule at a time when Latin America is grappling with political turmoil and democratic decline,” writes @benjamingedan for @ProSyn.
📢 Press release: As elections approach in #ElSalvador, Members of Congress question growing @StateDept support for authoritarianism. US-based human rights groups echo concerns, call for "principled" action to "protect essential rights" ⬇️ 🧵 #Elecciones2024Sv https://t.co/RqX4B4lbn3
The European Union has announced sanctions against Guatemala's Attorney General and others for their part in attempting to suffocate the democratic order https://t.co/0fgjN7SkBT
⚠️ EU IMPOSES SANCTIONS AGAINST FIVE GUATEMALANS FOR UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY (Reuters) The European Union on Friday imposed sanctions against five individuals from Guatemala for undermining democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Central America's most… https://t.co/O36wbs9mcd