US Bans Entry of Former Guatemalan President Giammattei for Corruption

The U.S. State Department has barred former Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei from entering the United States, citing "significant corruption" during his tenure. The Biden administration had criticized Giammattei's administration as Guatemalan prosecutors sought to prevent the inauguration of new President Bernardo Arévalo, who has pledged to combat corruption. Giammattei has faced corruption allegations, including accepting bribes, and the U.S. has sanctioned numerous Guatemalan officials and private citizens for undermining democracy. Arévalo campaigned on restarting the fight against corruption, and the U.S. sanction against Giammattei was deemed "foreseeable" by a former corruption prosecutor.