President Bernardo Arévalo insists that Guatemala’s growth is contingent on eradicating corruption

Guatemala offers growth opportunities and welcomes both local and foreign economic investments. However, to succeed, corruption needs to be rooted out from government. This was the key message conveyed by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo during his speech to Guatemalan and American business leaders at a forum hosted by the Americas Society/Council of the Americas (AS/COA). The event, titled “Towards Growth with Inclusive Social Development,” co-sponsored by AS/COA and the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (FUNDESA) in Guatemala City, aimed to explore ways to drive social development through inclusive economic growth.

“My government fully shares your belief that prosperity and sustainable growth can only be achieved in Guatemala by strengthening our political institutions and vigorously eradicating public corruption,” said Arévalo in his keynote address on March 14. The president also drove home the need to restore ethics in public administration and reform the judicial system. “Strengthening is not about adding more officials or intervening directly in the economy. It’s about enhancing the government’s legitimacy, with corruption as a major obstacle.”

Guatemala ranks 154th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. The country scored 23 out of 100, its lowest ranking in a decade.

Arévalo, elected on an anti-corruption platform, outlined his government’s focus on three main areas: reforming business competition and investment laws, investing in road infrastructure, and expanding health and education services.

AS/COA President and CEO Susan Segal, along with finance and economy ministers, and businessmen from both countries, participated in the first-of-its-kind event in Latin America this year. Segal noted that democracy is thriving in Guatemala, and the free electoral process that led to Arévalo’s election makes the country one of the most appealing places in Central America for investment.

“I’ve mentioned before how strongly I believe we’re on the brink of a pivotal moment in Guatemala-U.S. relations,” said Arévalo. The United States is a key trading partner for Guatemala and has held significant influence in the country’s history. The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on various officials, ex-officials and businessmen for alleged corruption and actions deemed as “undermining democracy.” This includes attempts to manipulate the 2023 general elections and block Arévalo from assuming the presidency. Since Arévalo assumed office two months ago, the U.S. government has restarted and increased financial aid for agriculture, security programs and combating illegal migration. Guatemala is a significant origin country for migrants.

President Arévalo has vowed to fight corruption, but will be hampered by a Justice Ministry (responsible for legal prosecution and investigation) that does not support him. Successful prosecution of public corruption cases hinges on the removal of Attorney General Consuelo Porras. Guatemala’s Attorney General is selected by the president from a pool of candidates nominated by an independent commission that the president does not control.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAÍS USA Edition