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US Imposes Visa Restrictions on 100s of Guatemalan Lawmakers, Other Leaders

by VOA News

   The United States announced new visa restrictions Monday for nearly 300
   Guatemalan lawmakers, other leaders and their families, accusing them
   of "undermining democracy and the rule of law" in the country.

   The restrictions, which were imposed on 100 members of Guatemala's
   Congress, as well as private sector leaders and their family members,
   come as the country is facing criticism for alleged attempts to block
   President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking office.

   Arevalo won a run-off election with his Seed Movement party in August
   in a landslide victory. Since then, Guatemalan authorities have
   arrested members of his party and repeatedly requested to lift
   Arevalo's immunity so they can investigate him directly.

   "These brazen measures follow a long list of other anti-democratic
   actions," U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. "The
   Guatemalan people have spoken. Their voices must be respected."

   Guatemalan prosecutors last week said that the runoff election results
   contained irregularities and were therefore void.

   Groups including the Organization of American States and the European
   Union, which sent observers to monitor the election, confirmed the
   vote's adherence to democratic standards. They backed Arevalo in
   condemning the prosecutors' claims as an attempt to block him from
   power.

   In addition to U.S. visa restrictions, the EU is also considering
   implementing sanctions on those who played a part in questioning the
   results of the election, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep
   Borrell.

   Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and
   Reuters.