Guatemala City, by Yuliza Muñoz -AGN- During a press conference, President Bernardo Arévalo referred to the non-attendance of the Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, and the message sent in response to the appointment of January 24.
According to the president, given the Attorney General’s absence, she was requested to attend the Council of Ministers on Monday, January 29, at 9:00 a.m. at the Presidential Office.
Article 4 of the Organic Law of the Attorney General’s Office establishes that the president may invite the attorney general to participate in any meeting of the ministers of State. In this case, the attorney general shall be obliged to attend the meeting with a voice but without a vote.
The president said that Attorney General Porras has been invited again under the conditions that, according to the law, oblige her to be present and that an employee, not her, signed the response. It differs from the invitation the president sent, which he signed.
Requested information
President Arévalo explained that the information requested in the letter sent to the attorney general is focused on fundamental aspects: the positions and policies of the Attorney General’s Office. Therefore, he stated that these requirements do not interfere with the attorney general’s work since information on procedural issues is not being requested.
The report sent on January 19 addresses topics such as the progress in criminal proceedings by the Attorney General’s Office, based on an order issued by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights -IACHR-. Furthermore, the criminal prosecution policy criteria concern the human right to freedom of expression and press and a criminal investigation related to the purchase of vaccines against COVID-19.
In addition to these three matters, there is the protocol for action by the Attorney General’s Office when the State of Guatemala is notified of precautionary measures by the IACHR for persons considered to be victims of violations of their fundamental rights.
Findings in the Executive Branch
During the press conference, the president was asked about the audio and recording devices in different spaces of the Presidential Office. He answered that they were doing electronic sweeps and found some items in the president’s office.
Minister of Communications Jazmín de la Vega informed the media that microphones were also found in the cars assigned to her when she arrived at the Ministry. She emphasized that the complaints will be filed before the Attorney General’s Office.
