The Government of Guatemala, in response to the Engel List released by the Department of State of the United States of America, states:

We categorically reject the subjectivity of the publication, which includes Guatemalans, who are targeted through value judgments without guaranteeing legitimate defense through due legal process. This situation violates the universal principle of the presumption of innocence.

We condemn these actions, which constitute a blatant violation of the fundamental rights of the persons mentioned, in addition to considering them a political mechanism against justice operators who do not respond to the interests of an ideological agenda sought to be imposed in our country. Therefore, we demand respect for the separation of powers and, above all, for the nation's sovereignty.

Using this resource is loathsome, which the United Nations experts on Human rights have labeled as an attempt by the United States to impose its jurisdiction on people beyond their borders, harming the human rights of those accused and undermining their presumption of innocence and right to due process.1

We reaffirm that this report cannot be considered a binding instrument in Guatemalan Legislation under any circumstance for stemming from unfounded media allegations.

We reiterate our commitment to defending our country’s sovereignty before foreign interference in domestic affairs and the abuse of political means against Guatemalans.

link to the UN article

https://news.un.org/es/story/2023/03/1519272