Guatemalan Presidential Candidate Accused of Embezzlement

Guatemalan judge Victor Cruz, issued an arrest warrant on March 18 for Thelma Aldana, former senior prosecutor of Guatemala and current presidential candidate, on charges of embezzlement, lying, and fraud. Later that same day Aldana registered herself as a candidate for the presidency, giving her grounds for immunity under Guatemalan law. However, Mrs. Aldana has stated that she still will not be returning from her trip to El Salvador due to fears of unjust persecution.

The aspiring presidential candidate is a noted anti-corruption advocate. She has previously received the Right Livelihood award in recognition of her fight against corruption, and has even pursued cases against the current president, Jimmy Morales, as well as his relatives. During her tenure as senior prosecutor, while working with the UN International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) Aldana also led investigations against the former president Otto Pérez Molina and Vice President Roxana Baldetti, which resulted in both of their arrests. She was recognized by Time magazine as one of the most influential people of 2017.

Aldana believes her political adversaries are part of a “pact of the corrupt.” Aldana told CNN, “It’s evident. They are trying to stop my registration and have used institutions of the State to that end.” Mrs. Aldana categorically denies any claims of criminality.

Leopold Guerra, Director of the Registry of Students of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala, informed CNN that almost all of the country’s political parties have pressured him not to allow Thelma Adana to register as a candidate for president. Guerra notes, however, that Aldana’s registration can still be challenged, and her immunity would take effect only if and when she weathers those challenges. Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart said he believes there will be a warrant to arrest Aldana if she returns to Guatemala.