Miguel Martínez Moralesformer director of the extinct Government Center And key figure during the administration of Alejandro Giammattei, continues his attempt to reverse the sanction imposed by the Foreign Assets Control Office (OFAC) of the US Treasury Department. for your alleged participation in schemes of Corruption in Guatemala.
More than a year after being included in the list of people sanctioned under the Executive Order 13818Martínez confirmed in a Recent interview with Free press that the process is still active and that awaits an update “at the end of May” of 2025.
As he said, the US authorities will inform him about the evidence against him and will give him the opportunity to defend himself.
However, that “hope” contrasts with the thick file of accusations that directly involve it in corrupt practices that, according to the US, affected the Guatemalan state.
Attempts to avoid the sanction
Since he was designated, Martínez has sought to discredit the punishment imposed by the OFAC, arguing – through a demand in the US.
Assures that he did not participate in the facts for which he was indicated, such as the IRREGULAR VACCINES SPUTNIK V and the Award of contracts outside the Guatecompras system.
However, the Treasury department signs They are overwhelming. He is accused of:
- Influence public procurement processes for their own benefit and that of their relatives.
- Colluded with other officials to assign contracts illegally outside of Guatecompras, outside the legal mechanisms.
- Use obsolete acquisition laws to avoid tenders and obtain government contracts for companies in which you have financial interests.
- Request millionaire bribes to facilitate the purchase of 16 million doses of Sputnik V vaccines.
A profile under judicial pressure
THE SANCTION OF THE OFAC has blocked all its financial properties and interests in the US and prohibits any American citizen or entity perform transactions with him.
Despite the efforts to reverse it, the legal process continues its course.
At the same time, the Public Ministry (MP) requested the EIGHT DOMAIN OF EIGHT ASSETS That according to the accusations, they are linked to the former official.
These include properties and vehicles whose lawful origin has not been justified. Besides, Martínez faces at least seven different cases against himaccording to tax sources, which cover from alleged influence peddling to illicit enrichment.
Current and without revocation visions
The US Department of Justice, through Brian Boynton, the main deputy attorney general, argued that Martínez’s inclusion in the list of sanctioned was not only based on the Global Magnitsky Lawbut also in the Executive Order 13818, issued during the government of Donald Trump to sanction those who are involved in serious abuses of human rights and corruption.
Martínez’s attempt to separate himself from the sanction includes a lawsuit filed in the US against the director of the OFAC, Andrea Gacki, and the Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, in which he demands that he be withdrawn from the list, in addition to the payment of legal fees.
But until now, beyond their legal allegations and statements to the press, has failed to distort the accusations that link it to corruption networks during the Giammattei government.
Also read: “There are 7 investigations against me. 2019 is the first”: Miguel Martínez