GUATEMALA CITY (AP) 鈥� Gabriel Garc铆a Luna, Guatemala鈥檚 new pledged Wednesday to dismantle what he called the 鈥渞epressive and vengeful鈥� administration of his predecessor, who was sanctioned by multiple countries including the U.S. for stifling anti-corruption efforts.
once a strong U.S. partner in the region on anti-corruption efforts, took a turn under Consuelo Porras, who stifled corruption cases, persecuted justice officials, activists and journalists, and drove many into exile. She also attempted to and invalidate his presidency by alleging fraud, which was never proven.
鈥淓veryone has a concept of a Public Prosecutor鈥檚 Office that can be used in a certain way, and we can no longer have that,鈥� Garc铆a Luna told The Associated Press. 鈥淚t is not a political entity, nor a political weapon for anyone, and I do not intend to repeat the actions taken in previous administrations.鈥�
Garc铆a Luna has already begun moving the institution in a new direction by dismantling the network of Porras鈥� trusted administrative and prosecutorial staff, who were accused of criminalizing and persecuting former justice officials. He has also launched a commission to review cases of people criminalized.
Porras has denied the accusations against her. The Public Prosecutor鈥檚 Office while it was under her tenure said the accusations affect Porras鈥� 鈥渞ight to honor, dignity, reputation and the presumption of innocence.鈥�
On Wednesday, Garc铆a Luna expressed his commitment to radical change to the institution by reviewing potential abuses during the past administration and reviving the prosecutorial profession, which was battered by the
Garc铆a Luna said his predecessor “formed a parallel government that destroyed the prosecutorial profession, mainly by dismissing between 800 and 1,000 employees during her eight-year tenure.鈥�
The new attorney general did not rule out the possibility of legal action against Porras, who has several complaints against her, including one for human trafficking in irregular adoptions, and her associates.
In cases where the prosecutor鈥檚 office, under Porras鈥� orders, benefited or allowed the release of alleged corrupt officials, drug traffickers and those accused of other crimes, the prosecutor stated that these cases are being reviewed, reopened and that legal action will be taken to ensure there is no impunity.
Many, including former prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, who lives in for his work on high-impact corruption cases, say the allegations against Porras and those in her administration should be subject to an 鈥渋mpartial and independent鈥� investigation.
鈥淭hese should not go unresolved, in accordance with the principle of equality before the law and the principle that no one should be above the law,鈥� Sandoval said.
Garc铆a Luna already has international support, such as from the U.S. government and countries of the European Union, that have offered their backing in the fight against transnational crime, and human trafficking.
He said that the Attorney General鈥檚 Office is collaborating with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which has scheduled a hearing for Aug. 4 to review cases of people who denounced political persecution under Porras.
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