Trump and Morales
Anthony W. Fontes, Assistant Professor in the School of International Service at American University, compares Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and United States President Trump for the Aula Blog.
Fortunately, they do not speak for all Guatemalans. We've witnessed protest after protest in Guatemala City and elsewhere. Sandra Cuffe has described some cracks in the military's support for Morales with their stated commitment to obeying the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The country's economic elite is somewhat divided over its support for CICIG and the rule of law - pro-rule of law and authoritarian enablers. On Tuesday, President Morales reiterated that his government will not permit CICIG Commissioner Ivan Velasquez to resume his work Guatemala.
Sometimes it is better for the United States to stay out of the way as we often make matters worse. However, this isn't the case. The US needs come out in favor of CICIG and the rule of law in Guatemala, publicly and behind the scenes, and in Congress, the White House, and Foggy Bottom.
The potential long-term damage to democratic institutions suggests that the “democratic wave” that swept across the Americas in the second half of the 20th century has crested. Under the Trump administration, the United States now risks becoming a beacon for anti-democratic politicians like Morales across the hemisphere, giving political cover and guidance to those who would hasten democracy’s demise for the sake of power. The rule of law in liberal democracies is predicated on transparency and accountability – and is threatened by executive intimidation of institutional checks and balances.When Morales and several corrupt members of Congress were elected in 2015, one knew that strengthening the rule of law was going to be challenging. Some called for the elections to be postponed so that we would not end up the situation which Guatemala confronts today. Over the last three years, the Office of the Attorney General and Constitutional Court have continued to be forces in support of democracy and the rule of law, while Congress and the President have not. They have actively sought to protect their privilege.
Fortunately, they do not speak for all Guatemalans. We've witnessed protest after protest in Guatemala City and elsewhere. Sandra Cuffe has described some cracks in the military's support for Morales with their stated commitment to obeying the rulings of the Constitutional Court. The country's economic elite is somewhat divided over its support for CICIG and the rule of law - pro-rule of law and authoritarian enablers. On Tuesday, President Morales reiterated that his government will not permit CICIG Commissioner Ivan Velasquez to resume his work Guatemala.
Sometimes it is better for the United States to stay out of the way as we often make matters worse. However, this isn't the case. The US needs come out in favor of CICIG and the rule of law in Guatemala, publicly and behind the scenes, and in Congress, the White House, and Foggy Bottom.
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