2023-10-18 14:03:00
Good morning! We begin the news summary with the accusations against a deputy. It has been an open secret that some deputies have links to organized crime or drug trafficking, but there was no extradition order for any of them while they were in office. The representative for the district of Sacatepéquez, José Ubico, is the first congressman who won a seat after he was convicted of drug trafficking in the United States; Now he is wanted again by that country for the same crime.
Panorama general. José Ubico has a current arrest warrant, after losing his immunity on June 14, 2023. Since the US request came to light, he has been absent from Congress, to the point that he has only attended one of the 26 sessions that have been held from January 14 to date. Read the full note here: José Ubico, the absent deputy with an arrest and extradition warrant for drug trafficking.
Byron René Bor Illescas is the new Minister of the Interior
The Ministry of the Interior reported that Byron René Bor Illescas is the new minister of the portfolio “to continue public security policies, their current strategies and plans.”
Panorama general. Bor Illesca assumes the position after the resignation of Napoleón Barrientos, who was in office for just over a year and a half. The official’s departure was recorded after the Public Ministry requested the Constitutional Court to remove him for “disobedience” for not having fulfilled his duty to preserve public order and the coexistence of the right to demonstrate.
Deputies go three weeks without defining an agenda and meeting
The deputies did not start the month of October on the right foot, since at the moment the body of block heads has not met where the agenda items for the sessions that are usually held on Wednesdays and Thursdays are defined.
On Tuesday, October 3, one day after the blockades began, several deputies apologized for not being able to reach Congress. A week later, few deputies responded to the call and this day was no exception. The acting president, Boris España, suspended the meeting, as at least 11 group heads were needed to start.
11 arrested for attacking protesters in Malacatán, San Marcos
A group of armed men attacked protesters who were in a community in Malacatán, San Marcos, on Monday, October 16. The blockade in that community was in support of the authorities of the 48 Cantons of Totonicapán, who are asking for the resignation of several officials.
Videos circulate on social networks where the armed group is seen getting on a pickup truck and shooting. While protesters ran to take cover between parked vehicles. One person died in the incident and two more were taken to the local healthcare center with injuries. “Run, run! Don’t go out! shout the neighbors who were observing the armed incident.
CC rejects opinion request on law that seeks amnesty for crimes during armed conflict
The judges of the Constitutional Court They rejected the request for an opinion presented by the president of Congress, Shirley Rivera, on the law that establishes an amnesty for crimes committed during the internal armed conflict.
Panorama general. Initiative 6099, known as the Law for Strengthening Peace, generated criticism from some deputies due to the amnesty it grants to members of the army and guerrillas. For this reason, Congress asked the CC for its opinion on September 27, but 20 days later, the magistrates rejected the request, for not complying with what the law dictates.
What to highlight. The resolution establishes that the document does not comply with article 172 of the Amparo Law, since it does not “clearly express the reasons on which your request rests.” The stage in which the initiative is is was not taken into account either, since its approval has not even begun.
International news summary
Costa Rica and Honduras; visa escalation
Since October 10, Costa Rica has implemented a new visa requirement for Honduran citizens. Its purpose: to ensure national security and combat organized crime. The insecurity situation in Costa Rica has increased significantly in terms of homicides this year. In September it surpassed last year’s total number (657). In the first weeks of October the figure rose to 692, according to the Ministry of Public Security and the Interior.
In reciprocity, the Honduran government also immediately imposed an entry visa including the transporters. Costa Rica has been requesting visas from Nicaraguans for more than three decades. Honduras thus becomes the second Central American country subject to this measure.
In Ecuador, for now, the right governs
Last October 15, the second round of the Ecuadorian presidential elections was held. Daniel Noboa (ADN, right) won, a newcomer to politics, but son of Álvaro Noboa, the banana magnate who was a five-time presidential candidate. With 97.3% counted, the now president-elect convinced 52.01% of the electorate, surpassing the 47.99% of Luisa González (RC, left).
With this result, the Correisimo, who had placed all his hopes in González, a long-standing official and activist, is temporarily defeated. The former deputy will not hold any public office. Noboa, 35, will become the country’s youngest president. His great challenge is citizen insecurity, the result of drug trafficking; In fact, the homicide rate has quintupled in the last five years, which claimed the life of the presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio.
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