US Representative Maria-Elvira Salazar (R-FL) published a letter alongside Representative Warren Davidson (R-OH) denouncing alleged State Department and US Agency on International Development (USAID) overreach in Guatemala.
According to Representative Salazar, the State Department and USAID have attempted to pressure Guatemalan officials into backing political initiatives supported by the Biden Administration.
“Officials from the U.S. Department of State and USAID have no legitimate authority to press for ideological changes in Guatemala that compromise their Constitution or deeply held values concerning life and family,” reads the letter.
In May 2022, President Joe Biden sanctioned Guatemala’s Attorney General, Maria Consuelo Porras Argueta de Porres (“Porras”), for alleged corruption.
Attorney General Porras has been leveraging her legal authority to halt progressive initiatives she claims contradict the Guatemalan constitution.
Salazar belittled Biden’s sanctions, stating “the Biden administration attacks Guatemala…while purchasing oil from Venezuela and sending diplomatic missions to Cuba.”
Salazar continued, stating “the State Department is using its powers to impose progressive ideals on a conservative nation.”
“Using U.S. federal resources like sanctions or influence through foreign aid to exact preferred policy outcomes in another country violates that country’s sovereignty and liberty,” said Salazar.
Porras addressed Guatemala in a televised speech yesterday in response to her office’s deteriorating relationship with the Guatemalan President in which she rejected American pressure.
“I will not cease fighting to guarantee the rule of law, and I do not receive instructions in English or Spanish, neither will I succumb to special interests, I am only accountable to the Guatemalan people and to God, for whom is the honor, glory, and praise,” said Porras.
Déjeme decirles Presidente y Vicepresidenta que en el Ministerio Público actuamos conforme a la ley y yo como Fiscal General de la República y Jefe del Ministerio Público no voy a escatimar esfuerzos para garantizar que se cumpla la ley, yo no recibo instrucciones ni en español…
— MP de Guatemala (@MPguatemala) May 7, 2024
