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Bernardo Arévalo rejects suspension of his party in Guatemala

Bernardo Arévalo rejects suspension of his party in Guatemala
Photo: Reuters

August 29|

The president-elect of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo, rejected on Monday the decision of the Registry of Citizens of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) to provisionally suspend the legal status of the Seed Movement.

Arevalo pointed out that this is an illegal resolution due to the judicial persecution led by the Public Prosecutor’s Office and Judge Fredy Orellana.

The elected president assured that the judicial measure suspending his party “is null and void” and that it will fall by itself.

For Bernardo Arévalo the suspension of his political group “has no validity” because according to the electoral law only the Supreme Electoral Tribunal can order the suspension of the political movement.

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The reaction of Bernardo Arevalo and his vice-president Karin Herrera, came after learning of the decision of the TSE’s Citizen Registry to provisionally cancel his party at the request of Judge Orellana.

The vice-president-elect announced that the legal team of Movimiento Semilla will present this Tuesday an appeal for annulment to stop the suspension of the political organization.

The suspension request had been extended since July 12 due to an alleged case of false signatures that would have been committed during the creation of the party in 2018, investigated by prosecutors sanctioned by the US State Department.

On the other hand, the president-elect described as “historic” that the magistrates of the TSE ratified the results of last August 20, which certify them as the new rulers of the Central American country.

“Nothing can legally prevent us from taking office on January 14, 2024, as established in the constitution”, stated Arévalo de León.

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In the next few days, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal must hear the suspension to define if it is ratified or if it loses its validity.

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Central America

U.S. and Guatemala Sign Trade Deal Granting Zero Tariffs to Most Exports

The United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement with Guatemala on Friday, under which 70.4% of Guatemalan exports will enter the U.S. market tariff-free.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating that it creates a framework of cooperation, certainty, and new opportunities for producers, workers, and entrepreneurs in the country. His remarks were shared in a video published on his official social media channels.

In 2025, 30.3% of Guatemala’s total exports were destined for the United States, amounting to approximately $4.3 billion. As a result, the agreement is expected to directly benefit key sectors of the Guatemalan economy, including agribusiness, manufacturing, and the textile industry.

“Today we have taken another step toward consolidating a country that, when it moves forward united, generates confidence, attracts investment, and creates real development opportunities for all its people,” Arévalo added.

The agreement with Guatemala follows a similar trade deal signed by the United States with El Salvador on Thursday, which includes the elimination of a 10% tariff on Salvadoran imports.

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Central America

Panama Supreme Court Strikes Down Panama Ports Concession as Unconstitutional

Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice has ruled unconstitutional the concession contract granted in 1997 to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate CK Hutchison, which operates two strategic ports along the interoceanic canal. The decision was announced on Thursday, January 29, 2026, following two lawsuits filed by the Comptroller General’s Office.

The ruling directly affects the management of the ports of Balboa, on the Pacific coast, and Cristóbal, on the Atlantic side, both of which have been operated by the company for nearly three decades. According to Panama’s Comptroller General, Anel Flores, an audit uncovered irregularities in the contract that resulted in more than $1.3 billion failing to enter state coffers.

“It is a predatory contract, abusive to the interests of the country,” Flores stated.

The Supreme Court determined that Law 5 of 1997, its subsequent amendments, and the automatic extension granted in 2021 are unconstitutional. The ruling noted that the contract renewal took place without adequate oversight and amid allegations of corruption, despite the Panamanian state holding only a 10% stake in the company.

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Central America

Guatemala President Says Starlink Terminal Found Inside Prison

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo revealed on Tuesday that a Starlink terminal was discovered inside a prison in the country, highlighting corruption and the illegal introduction of advanced communication technology into the penitentiary system.

Arévalo did not specify which prison the device was found in but stressed that Starlink’s ability to connect directly to low-orbit satellites makes it particularly difficult to disrupt, posing a serious security risk.

The disclosure was made during a press conference attended by Interior Minister Marco Antonio Villeda and Defense Minister Henry Sáenz.

On January 6, specialized units of Guatemala’s National Civil Police (PNC), members of the Army and prison security personnel carried out Operation Sentinel at the Renovación 1 Maximum Security Prison for Men, located in Escuintla. According to the Interior Ministry, the operation aimed to reduce criminal activity, prevent illicit acts and stop the trafficking of prohibited items inside the prison.

During the operation, authorities also dismantled businesses operating near several prisons after detecting routers that were allegedly used to redirect internet signals into penitentiary facilities, according to local outlet Emisoras Unidas.

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Tensions escalated further over the weekend of January 17 and 18, when inmates affiliated with gangs staged riots in three prisons. During the unrest, they took prison guards and a psychologist hostage, demanding extra-large beds, air conditioning, transfers to other facilities and access to the internet.

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