The Rise and Fall of CICIG in Guatemala: A Story of Corruption and Impunity
Introduction
In 2007, the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) was established to investigate and prosecute crimes committed by high-ranking government officials in Guatemala. Despite initial successes, CICIG faced a backlash from powerful interests that saw its work as a threat, ultimately leading to its demise in 2019.
Phase I: Establishment
Creation of CICIG
CICIG was created with the aim of investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by Guatemala’s corrupt elite. The commission worked closely with Guatemalan prosecutors and judges to bring justice to those who had been victimized by corruption and human rights abuses.
Phase II: Early Successes
Initial Breakthroughs
CICIG had some initial successes, including investigating and charging high-ranking officials for corruption and human rights abuses. Although these cases were relatively small compared to those that followed, they marked a significant step towards holding the powerful accountable.
Key Investigations
- Investigation into customs houses across the country
- Charges against high-ranking officials for corruption and human rights abuses
Phase III: Taking on the Powerful
The Vice President’s Downfall
In 2015, CICIG investigated and charged Vice President Baldetti with orchestrating a massive corruption scheme in customs houses across the country. This case led to protests and eventually forced President Pérez Molina to resign.
Implications of the Investigation
- Demonstrations and public outcry
- Resignation of President Pérez Molina
- Significant blow to the Guatemalan government’s reputation
Phase IV: Backlash
Coordinated Public Relations Campaign
Despite its successes, CICIG faced a coordinated public relations campaign aimed at undermining the commission in the press and on social media. The president, Jimmy Morales, declared Colombian Velásquez, who led CICIG, persona non grata and denied visas for investigators.
The Pacto de Corruptos
A tacit agreement between corrupt politicians, military officers, drug traffickers, and business elites formed the Pacto de Corruptos. They worked together to stop the Attorney General’s Office from opening more cases and to shut down CICIG. Morales declared that he would not renew CICIG’s mandate, and the commission eventually left the country in 2019.
The Legacy of CICIG
Lasting Impact on Guatemala’s Justice System
CICIG’s work had a lasting impact on Guatemala’s justice system, but its legacy is now under threat from the Pacto de Corruptos. The coalition has rallied behind former director of the penitentiary system, Alejandro Giammattei, who was elected president in 2020.
Current State of Affairs
The political establishment’s efforts to ensure impunity and persecute those who assisted CICIG continue, with many prosecutors and judges facing criminal charges or fleeing the country. Guatemala is heading into its 2023 presidential election amidst a tumultuous environment, with the Pacto de Corruptos likely to divide into factions, each with their own objectives and means of influencing the judicial system.