The Guatemalan Prosecutor’s Office began a judicial process this week to investigate the Colombian Defense Minister Iván Velásquez, for alleged irregularities when he was head of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala , which would be related to the Odebrecht case.
According to the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity of Guatemala, José Rafael Curruchiche, “there are solid, compelling and very evident elements” that indicate that Minister Velásquez “could have committed the crimes of obstruction of justice, conspiracy and abuse of authority”. .
The president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, further fueled the controversy surrounding the case being carried out by the Justice of his country against the Colombian Defense Minister, accused of committing alleged irregularities when he was chief, between 2013 and 2019, of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) of the United Nations Organization (UN) in the Central American country.
“Guatemala has been respectful of all agreements and treaties. Even if the man has committed a crime, he cannot be prosecuted, but he must be investigated. So, if he is involved, he cannot be tried, but he can be investigated,” Giammattei said. in an interview with the Colombian outlet W Radio.
The statement by the Guatemalan president comes a day after the UN Secretary General, António Guterres, expressed his concern about the announcement of a criminal case against Velásquez, because international UN personnel enjoy immunity, even when they already don’t hold the posts.
Resolve differences diplomatically
Meanwhile, Giammattei called on his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, to resolve the growing tensions and differences with Guatemala through diplomatic channels. This after both countries called their respective ambassadors for consultation and put their relations on edge.
“Differences between countries must be resolved through diplomatic channels, it is not worth trying to avoid some degree of discomfort. We have proposed to the Government of Colombia that it can be escalated through the foreign ministers,” said the Guatemalan president, who said that “it would not want to see transformed” the “good relationship” commercial and between peoples that has existed for more than 200 years.
The president added that a good scenario to resolve the recent differences with Bogotá is the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which will take place next week in Argentina and where the foreign ministers of both countries could settle tensions.
“If there is any doubt that a government has regarding any investigation, I personally do not know it, because in our country there is authentic freedom between the powers of the State, each one has their functions. The president of the republic is the head of state , but he is not the one who rules in the courts,” added Giammattei.
Presidente de Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, avivó aún más la polémica en torno al caso que adelanta la Justicia de su país contra el ministro de Defensa de Colombia, Iván Velásquez. pic.twitter.com/YjP7osKKsC
— Anoncandanga V (@candanga_anon) January 21, 2023
