Central America

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.

Related Topics:Bernardo Arévalo Guatemala

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Central America

Costa Rica closes embassy in Cuba, citing human rights concerns

The government of Costa Rica announced on Wednesday the closure of its embassy in Cuba, a move that signals a further deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed that Costa Rica has also requested the withdrawal of Cuban diplomatic personnel from San José, leaving only consular representation in place.

According to André, the decision is driven by concerns over the worsening human rights situation on the island, including increased repression against citizens and opposition figures.

He also noted that Cuba’s ongoing economic and social crisis—marked by shortages of food, medicine, and basic services—has made the operation of the embassy increasingly difficult.

President Rodrigo Chaves backed the measure, stating that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of Cuba’s political system.

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In response, the Cuban government rejected the decision, calling it a “unilateral” move taken under pressure from United States.

“Under pressure from the United States, Costa Rica has limited its relations with Cuba to consular matters,” Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said, describing the action as “arbitrary.”

Despite the diplomatic setback, Cuban authorities stated that historical ties between the two nations would endure.

Central America

Costa Rica closes Cuba embassy as president escalates rhetoric

The president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, escalated political rhetoric on Wednesday, stating that “the hemisphere must be cleansed of communists,” following his government’s decision to close its embassy in Cuba.

The remarks come as Costa Rica moves to downgrade diplomatic relations with the island, citing a sustained deterioration in human rights. Chaves reiterated that his administration does not recognize the legitimacy of the Cuban government, accusing it of repression and of maintaining poor living conditions for its population.

“We do not recognize the legitimacy of that government. We will not maintain a consulate there; services will be handled from Panama,” Chaves said during a press conference.

The president also argued that the communist model has “failed” not only in Cuba but in every country where it has been implemented, emphasizing that freedom is essential for development.

The decision was made in coordination with president-elect Laura Fernández, who is set to take office on May 8 and is expected to maintain the same foreign policy stance.

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Foreign Minister Arnoldo André confirmed the closure of the embassy in Havana and requested that Cuba withdraw its diplomatic personnel from San José, while maintaining limited consular functions.

Costa Rican authorities justified the move by pointing to increased repression against citizens, activists, and opposition figures, as well as restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

The closure marks a new point of tension in bilateral relations and comes amid growing international pressure on Cuba.

Central America

Analyst questions IACHR role over report on El Salvador emergency measures

Political analyst Óscar Martínez Peñate on Tuesday called for a review of the role currently played by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), arguing that it has undermined its credibility by hosting the presentation of a report critical of El Salvador.

Speaking during the interview program Panorama, Martínez questioned the commission’s decision to accept a report prepared by the Grupo Internacional de Expertas y Expertos para la Investigación de Violaciones de Derechos Humanos en El Salvador, which examines alleged human rights violations under the country’s state of emergency.

“We should examine what the current role of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is. How is it possible that they agree to host the presentation of a report whose premise is against a State, a government, a political system, and Salvadoran society?” Martínez said.

He added that by allowing the presentation of the report, the commission “automatically disqualifies itself.”

Martínez also questioned whether it is appropriate for the IACHR to serve as a “platform” for what he described as the defense of criminals, by treating the GIPES report as credible.

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According to the analyst, the commission is acting in a way that contradicts its mandate by enabling narratives that, in his view, go against Salvadoran society.