WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Representative Albio Sires, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, today made the following statement on Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales’s announcement that he will not renew the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) when its current mandate expires:

“We strongly condemn Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales’s decision to not renew the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala when its mandate expires next year. Today’s announcement is a major step backward for Guatemala in its fight against corruption and impunity. CICIG has been transformational in bringing justice to ordinary Guatemalans, and we urge President Morales to reconsider this ill-advised decision. We further note our grave concern with President Morales’s provocations of CICIG through an unnecessary military and police presence.

“As Commissioner, Ivan Velasquez has partnered with Guatemalan Attorneys General past and present to root out corruption and save Guatemalan taxpayers millions of dollars. His continued leadership is essential, and we urge President Morales to do the right thing and renew his visa when it expires next month.”

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