The Guatemalan Supreme Court on Aug. 29 suspended President Jimmy Morales' [6] order to deport the head of a UN anti-corruption commission from the country. The order came from the president two days after Ivan Velásquez, the Colombian prosecutor who leads Guatemala's International Commission against Impunity [7], announced he was seeking to lift Morales' immunity from prosecution in order to investigate alleged illegal campaign financing. The Supreme Court quickly halted the deportation, stating [8] that the order was issued improperly. The UN said that it was disturbed [9] by Morales' actions against Velásquez. In protest of Morales' actions, citizens declared a state of siege in the capital, while US ambassador to Guatemala Todd Robinson [10] stated that the president's moves could put at risk a US development plan in Central America to reduce poverty and crime.
From Jurist [11], Aug. 30. Used with permission.
