Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON – Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Filemon Vela (TX-34), and Henry Cuellar (TX-28) issued a joint statement in response to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales’ decision not to renew the mandate for the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala, more commonly referred to as CICIG (Comisión Internacional contra la Impunidad en Guatemala). The current mandate expires in September 2019.
Read the full statement here:
“While a great experiment in theory, the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala seems to have recently failed to adhere to its core principles and execute its central mission of strengthening rule of law in the country. We fear that CICIG may have compromised the integrity of this experiment to the point that no country will accept a similar entity in the future.
“The United States does not fight impunity with impunity, and cannot blindly support institutions that violate a nation’s sovereignty. We must take a different approach. Every investment that our country makes at home and abroad must be held to the highest standard and closely monitored and evaluated by the appropriate personnel. The American taxpayer and our allies deserve nothing less than effectiveness, transparency, and mutual respect.
“As the United States continues to partner with Guatemala in its fight against corruption, we encourage greater oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that laws are applied in a fair and balanced way. Our judges, attorneys, and law enforcement personnel are some of the most experienced in the world and best positioned to take on this responsibility and provide expert advice and assistance to one of our most important allies in Central America in a manner that is respectful, productive, and yields a better return on investment.”
