Brussels, Feb 2 (EFE).- The European Union on Friday sanctioned Guatemala’s Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, three of her subordinates and a judge for their attempts to prevent the inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo, who took office on Jan. 14.

A statement from the European Council said the sanctions were imposed to “hold accountable those obstructing a democratic transition following the 2023 general elections, which resulted in a clear victory of President Bernardo Arévalo, as attested by the EU Election Observation Mission to Guatemala”

The sanctions include the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity (FECI), José Rafael Curruchiche; FECI prosecutor Leonor Morales; the Secretary General of the Public Ministry, Ángel Pineda; and Judge Fredy Orellana.

The statement said that “those targeted are responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.”

“The EU stands ready to take further steps to hold those responsible accountable,” European diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said in the release.

Borrell, who attended Arévalo’s inauguration in Guatemala in January, added that his presence there was intended to “send a strong signal to obstructionists that circumventing democratic processes would not be tolerated by the international community.”

With the restrictive measures announced on Friday, the EU-27 has banned the five individuals from entering the EU, frozen their assets in European entities, and prevented EU citizens and companies from providing them with funds.

Arévalo faced serious difficulties in being sworn in as president, as the Public Prosecutor’s Office, headed by Consuelo Porras, tried to cut short his electoral triumph with several criminal cases against him and his political party, the Seed Movement. EFE

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