Newsflash: GUATEMALA FORMS NEW ANTICORRUPTION COMMISSION

The newly installed  President of Guatemala recently approved the creation of a special Anti-Corruption (AC) Commission. 

A presidential decree  (28-2020) was published today in the official gazette.  This commission  is assigned with the task of coordinating Anti-corruption public policy, strategy, legal reform and liaise with international AC bodies for technical and financial assistance among other things.  

This commission was announced during the electoral campaign  as a response to inquiries regarding the non-renewal of the UN anticorruption Commission.  This announcement had been anticipated although some sectors were hoping for a more inclusive body. 

The commission is composed of 8 members including 2 cabinet ministers, government secretaries and a specially yet to be appointed (By the President) Executive Director.   Unfortunately, past experience with such internal commissions has not had any positive noteworthy results, so efforts by the government will need to show meaningful results in order for the commission to have a positive impact on public opinion.  

As candidate the now president has sought the support from the international community for his publicized effort;   it is yet unclear how this may be materialized with the internal structure created.  Nevertheless, the decree contemplates public funding from the national budget.   Although it is still uncertain how public efforts to reduce corruption will fare out, anti-corruption awareness has grown considerably  in the private sector with many companies making significant advances in preparing and mitigating anticorruption risk.