23/08/2024 (Agence Europe) – Recent actions by the Guatemalan General Prosecutor’s Office, such as the request to waiver President Bernardo Arévalo’s immunity for authorising allegedly fraudulent payments to construction companies, are part of a “highly concerning pattern of politically motivated allegations and investigations targeting the current government”, said European External Action Service (EEAS) spokesperson Peter Stano on Thursday evening (22 August). The EU will remain very vigilant in order to prevent any attempt to erode the Rule of law in Guatemala, he said. At the beginning of 2024, the EU sanctioned five high-ranking Guatemalan officials, including the Attorney General, María Consuelo Porras, for attempting to obstruct Mr Arévalo’s entry into office (see EUROPE 13342/25). (MB)