US Government Agencies Working at Odds in Guatemala, Undermining US National and Security Interests

The Global Liberty Alliance Podcast with Jason Poblete

In this podcast, GLA President Jason Poblete talks with a fellow liberty warrior, Stephen Hecht, in Guatemala. An American, Stephen and his organization Impunity Observer have been long-time freedom champions in Central America who help empower Guatemalans to build a more robust and freer nation where individuals, not governments, are change agents in civil society. This is especially true when building a robust civil society where property rights and rule of law are essential.

Jason and Stephen discuss the importance of working together with Guatemalans to combat corruption, illegal immigration, and other issues that, sooner or later, will impact us right here in the United States. This podcast is part of a series that takes a closer look at Central America, particularly Guatemala, and how Guatemalan civil society leaders such as lawyers and business leaders are struggling to reign in foreign meddling from dark forces that are undermining Guatemalan sovereignty and rule of law.

In an exclusive interview with GLA, Stephen talks with us about how Guatemala’s Attorney General Consuelo Porras has had wage two battles in her country: one against bad actors in Guatemala and the other fending off attacks by certain officials at the Department of State. Attorney General Porras has been praised by officials at the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Department of Justice as a vital partner of the US in cracking down on transnational crime. So why have certain State Department targeted her in the media?

GLA would like to speak with individuals and organizations on the other side of this debate and the invitation is open. Based on what we have researched the past year, there is enough here for the US Congress to take a closer look. Millions of American taxpayer monies are sent to Guatemala every year. The people of Guatemala have elected officials and capable jurists who know what needs to be done to keep building their nation. So why are US officials at different agencies seemingly working at odds? This is untenable. We must do better. What happens in Guatemala, sooner or later, impacts us right here in the states.

Further Reading

• “Guatemalan Attorney General: US State Department Impedes Rule of Law,” Impunity Observer’s exclusive interview with Guatemala’s Attorney General Consuelo Porras (Oct. 26, 2021).
• Consuelo Porras dice que sanciones que recibió no son del Gobierno de EE. UU. sino del Departamento de Estado, y esto le responde Washington, Presna Libre (Oct. 28, 2021).
• "How the U.S. Finances Revolution," Wall Street Journal (Oct. 31, 2021)
• Guatemala’s Justice System Is at a Breaking Point, Americas Quarterly (Apr. 20, 2021).
• “Western Hemisphere, Beyond “Drugs and Thugs,” GLA Podcast with Dr. J Michael Waller (Jun. 15, 2021).
• Why Not to Work with Corrupt People to Fight Corruption in Guatemala, with former Vice Presidential candidate and businesswoman Betty Marroquín (Mar. 23, 2021).

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