Guatemala

1953-08-23

242159605

There are reasonable grounds to suspect that María Consuelo Porras Argueta de Porres (“Porras”) is an involved person within the meaning of the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 on the basis of the following grounds: (1) Porras is or has been involved in serious corruption by being responsible for or engaging in serious corruption by way of receiving a bribe. As Attorney General and Head of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público, MP) of Guatemala, a foreign public official performing a judicial or executive function, Porras received an advantage to induce her to improperly perform a public function. That advantage was President Giammattei’s decision to reappoint her to the role. Thereafter, she continued to improperly discharge her functions by intentionally undermining corruption investigations into the political elite that nominated her. In particular, she undermined investigations into President Giammattei’s election and tenure as President. (2) Porras is or has been involved in serious corruption by being responsible for the investigation or prosecution of serious corruption and intentionally failing to fulfil that responsibility. As Attorney General and Head of the MP of Guatemala, a foreign public official performing a judicial or executive function, Porras received an advantage to induce her to perform a public function improperly, namely her reappointment to the role. Thereafter, she continued to improperly perform her function by intentionally undermining corruption investigations into the political elite that nominated her. In particular, she undermined the operational independence of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad), dismissing prosecutors therefrom and appointing compliant replacements. (3) Porras is or has been involved in serious corruption by using threats or intimidation to interfere in, or otherwise interfering in, a law enforcement or judicial process in connection with serious corruption. As Attorney General and Head of the MP of Guatemala, a foreign public official performing a judicial or executive function, Porras received an advantage to induce her to perform a public function improperly, namely her reappointment to the role. Thereafter, she continued to improperly perform her function by intentionally undermining corruption investigations into the political elite that nominated her. In particular, she removed from office and pursued unfounded legal challenges against notable anti-corruption prosecutors who had sought to tackle serious corruption in Guatemala.

The Director Disqualification Sanction was imposed on 09/04/2025.

2025-04-02

UK

The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021

UK horizontal

Anti-Corruption

Asset freeze and making available provisions, Travel bans

• The Regulations impose financial sanctions through a targeted asset freeze on designated persons and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available. This involves the freezing of funds and economic resources (non-monetary assets, such as property or vehicles) of designated persons and ensuring that funds and economic resources are not made available to or for the benefit of designated persons, either directly or indirectly. • The effect of the Regulations is to impose a travel ban on persons who are designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of being made subject to immigration sanctions under the Sanctions Act.

The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 put in place sanctions measures to prevent and combat serious corruption. These regulations have replaced the Misappropriation (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 concerning misappropriation of State funds from any country outside the UK. Those persons who are designated under this regime are included on the UK sanctions list.

Licensing and exception provisions are contained in Part 5 of the Regulations.