US sanctions deputy and former private secretary of Guatemala

Deputy Felipe Alejos, pictured, and former Secretary Gustavo Adolfo Alejos received sanctions from the US Treasury Department for alleged corruption.

(CNN Spanish) ––

The United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions for alleged corruption on Congressman Felipe Alejos Lorenzana and Gustavo Adolfo Alejos Cambara, former secretary of the presidency of Álvaro Colom (2008-2012), according to the Office of Assets Control Foreigners (OFAC).

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Felipe and Gustavo Alejos "sought to interfere with the judicial selection process to appoint magistrates to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) of Guatemala and the Court of Appeals."

Blinken added that “together they reportedly facilitated payments to congressmen and judges in an attempt to influence the selection process of magistrates for both courts and to secure favorable court rulings that would protect Gustavo Alejos –– as well as magistrates from the CSJ–– of current and future prosecutions for corruption ”.

The former secretary of the presidency is in preventive detention in the Mariscal Zavala prison and faces at least seven trials for alleged corruption.

Gustavo Alejos told CNN on several occasions that he is innocent of all the charges against him.

In the case of Felipe Alejos, the deputy faces allegations of corruption.

In addition, although the Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity has tried to lift his immunity from being investigated, the Judicial Branch has rejected requests from the entity on at least four occasions to challenge the legislator on suspicion of having participated in a network that allegedly expedited procedures of tax refund to entrepreneurs in exchange for illicit commissions.

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When questioned by the press on several occasions, the deputy has said that he is innocent.

And he has argued that it is a media and political persecution against him.

In relation to these new sanctions, CNN has tried to communicate by telephone with the legislator but has not answered the calls.

CNN has also sought the reaction of Gustavo Alejos's defense, but so far it has not received a response, nor has it been able to confirm whether that lawyer continues to represent him.

The Treasury Department highlighted that the sanctions reinforce the actions taken last year against Gustavo and Felipe Alejas and their immediate family members by being included by the State Department in the so-called Section 7031 (c) of the US Code, for their alleged involvement in acts of "significant corruption."

The sanctions announced Monday by the Treasury Department are based on the so-called Magnitsky Act of Global Responsibility for Human Rights.

The rule authorizes the US government to impose economic sanctions and ban people involved in human rights abuses and corruption from entering the country.

The Treasury Department stressed that the sanctions are applied in coordination with the United Kingdom and other allies.

The measures against the two politicians include blocking all their property and interests in the United States, whether directly or indirectly owned.

As well as the prohibition of transactions with them for any US entity or person, including the contribution or provision of financial services and services and goods in general.

Corruption