Central America
CC’s resolution that orders to repeat the scrutiny review hearing is questioned
July 4 |
During the morning of July 2, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) had not issued a position on the provisional injunction granted by the CC, while the Departmental Electoral Board (JED) of Guatemala and the Central District Electoral Board (JEDC) had not been notified and were waiting for indications from the TSE to proceed with the injunction.
The Constitutional Court (CC) granted a provisional injunction to a group of nine political parties, generating a series of steps for the verification of the minutes, preventing the TSE from making official the results of the general elections of June 25.
With this resolution, the different electoral boards of the country have to repeat the scrutiny review hearing, where challenges could be presented in minutes that, according to the criteria of the political parties, are not completely clear.
For example, some of the minutes that have been questioned are those that have a series of erasures, along with others that appear to have errors in the addition of the votes, according to the political organizations.
The resolution of last Saturday, contemplates that in case the review of the tally sheets is not necessary, there is the possibility of a vote by vote count, which would mean opening the electoral boxes that are already in possession of the TSE, specifically in the Center of Operations of the Electoral Process (COPE), installed in the Parque de la Industria.
“The electoral boxes are no longer in the possession of the Electoral Boards, because they are already delivered to the TSE”, explained Kenneth Ordoñez, secretary of the JED of Guatemala.
“There in those boxes is the vote of the Guatemalans”, explained the secretary, adding that he agrees with electoral observation groups that affirm the need to safeguard the boxes containing the ballots. “In those boxes is the popular will and now we need the boxes back,” he says.
For his part José Murúa, president of the JEDC, points out that before proceeding they need indications from the highest electoral body. “We are waiting for the procedure indicated by the TSE, to evaluate how to proceed. Until the processes in process are not concluded, the appointment of mayor and councilmen cannot be concluded”.
The CC, after issuing the provisional injunction in favor of the parties, transferred the injunction to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), since they stated that due to issues of “competence” it is the CSJ who should be in charge.
Central America
Guatemala arrests first escaped gang member after Barrio 18 prison break
Guatemala’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed early Monday the arrest of one of the 20 inmates affiliated with the Barrio 18 gang who escaped from prison over the weekend, a situation authorities uncovered after conducting an inmate count.
The detainee, identified as Byron Eduardo Fajardo Revolorio, also known as “Black Demon,” was captured early Monday in the eastern department of Santa Rosa, along with members of his family.
On Sunday, the national prison system reported that 20 inmates were missing following an inspection at the facility. The U.S. government designated Barrio 18 as a terrorist organization in September, citing its role in widespread violence and insecurity across the region.
In a statement, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala described the mass escape as “completely unacceptable” and urged authorities to swiftly recapture all fugitives.
Interior Minister Francisco Jiménez confirmed to The Associated Press that he had dismissed the director of the National Penitentiary System, Ludin Godínez, as well as the warden of the facility where the escape occurred. Complaints have been filed to determine those responsible.
During a press conference, Jiménez added that nine officials in total were removed from their posts, including directors and deputy directors of the Fraijanes II, Mariscal Zavala, Izabal, and Renovación I prisons.
The minister also warned that, following the U.S. designation of Barrio 18 as a terrorist group, anyone found aiding its members will face prosecution. He announced rewards of up to $20,000 for information leading to the capture of each escaped inmate.
Central America
Fraijanes II prison in Guatemala reports gradual escape of 18th Street gang inmates
The Director of the Guatemalan Penitentiary System, Ludin Astolfo Godínez, confirmed the escape of 20 members of the 18th Street gang who were serving sentences at the Fraijanes II Preventive Detention Center for Men.
During a press conference on Sunday, Godínez stated that the escape was not simultaneous, but occurred gradually, in pairs or individually. Authorities are still investigating the exact details of how the incident took place.
The official noted that a headcount revealed the absence of 20 inmates, all affiliated with the 18th Street gang.
Godínez also indicated that corruption or bribery may have facilitated the escape, and investigations are ongoing to clarify this aspect.
“This is an escape from justice. The inmates bypassed the control, registration, and security systems. There may have been involvement from administrative personnel responsible for their custody, and we will not rule that out,” said Godínez.
Central America
U.S. suspends Venezuela talks as Trump considers next phase of military campaign
U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended diplomatic efforts with Venezuela and instructed his special envoy, Richard Grenell, to halt all negotiations, a senior U.S. official confirmed on Monday. The move comes amid growing fears of a military escalation between the two countries and after Trump stated on Sunday that there were “no boats left in the Caribbean,” referring to previous attacks, adding that he might “have to start looking on land.”
Speaking from the Oval Office alongside senior military officials last Thursday, Trump directed Grenell to stop all diplomatic initiatives with Caracas. The decision, revealed later by a U.S. official, confirms that the administration has abandoned the diplomatic path for now.
When asked whether Trump was considering military action inside Venezuela, the official, quoted by Reuters, said the president had not yet decided whether to move his campaign into a second phase.
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