Republican Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar accused the Biden administration of using ideological criteria in its policy toward Guatemala, particularly against Attorney General Consuelo Porras.
María Elvira Salazar Rejects Sanctions Against Attorney General Consuelo Porras
During a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, Salazar criticized the sanctions imposed on Guatemalan Attorney General Consuelo Porras, stating that they are motivated by a political agenda of the Biden administration. The hearing, titled «INL Should Fight Crime, Not Fight Conservatives», focused on how U.S. foreign policy has been used, according to her, to punish officials considered “too conservative.”
“If the Guatemalans chose Porras, who is the Biden administration to say that she’s not qualified?” questioned the congresswoman. “They attacked her time and again. This is the perfect definition of putting politics above security.”
Criticism of the Office of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
Salazar also criticized the role of the Office of Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), accusing it of interfering in Guatemala’s internal affairs instead of focusing on fighting drug trafficking and human trafficking.
“Instead of working with local prosecutors to catch traffickers, INL is focused on attacking conservatives,” she denounced.
Defense of Guatemalan Sovereignty
The congresswoman concluded her remarks with a call to respect Guatemala’s sovereignty:
“If the Guatemalans are conservatives, then so be it. They deserve respect.”
Diplomatic Tensions Between Guatemala and the U.S.
These statements come amid growing diplomatic tensions between conservative sectors in Guatemala and the Joe Biden administration, especially concerning the sanctions imposed on officials like Porras, who has been included on the Engel List of corrupt actors, a decision Salazar deems unfair and ideological.
