US Bans Entry of Guatemalan Presidents Former Chief of Staff on Corruption Grounds
Former Guatemalan Presidential Chief of Staff Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara of Guatemala was banned from entering the United States due to “his involvement in significant corruption” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on June 8 in a statement.
“The Secretary of State has credible information that Alejos has been involved in significant corruption while serving as Chief of Staff,” a State Department Official told The Epoch Times in an email.
As chief of staff to former President of the Republic of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom, Alejos took part in corrupt acts that undermined the rule of law in the country as well as the public trust in the countrys government and democratic processes, the statement said.
Rep. Norma Torres (D-Calif.), who was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States to escape corruption, said on June 8 in a statement that Alejos “ is currently under investigation for trying to influence the supreme court and appellate court elections that are happening in Guatemala right now.”
“In the past, he put Guatemalas pharmaceutical industry up for auction, and illegally financed political campaigns,” Torres said.
Alejos was publicly designated by the Secretary of State on the basis of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act which prohibits designated foreign government officials involved in significant corruption from entering the United States.
Alejos wife, two sons, and his minor daughter were also publically prohibited from entering the United States because the law requires the secretary of state to also designate immediate family members of the foreign official who has been designated for corruption.
“His designation today is a timely bolster forRead More From Source
