The Special Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the Strengthening of Democratic Institutions in Guatemala presented this Tuesday, April 14, a series of recommendations to the Nomination Commission in charge of integrating the list of candidates for attorney general and head of the Public Ministry (MP).
During his speech before the commissioners, the head of the mission, Carlos Ayala Corado, stressed the importance of the process and warned that the decision adopted by that body will have a direct impact on democracy, the rule of law, citizen trust and the credibility of the justice system in the country.
“The decision does not constitute a merely procedural act,” said Ayala Corado, pointing out that the process must guarantee the independence and suitability of the people finally appointed.
The mission explained that its observations are based on the continuous monitoring of the second-degree election processes, as well as the lessons derived from other institutional renewal processes developed in 2025 and 2026.
According to him, recent experience shows that formal compliance with stages and deadlines, although essential, is not sufficient on its own to ensure substantive legitimacy or public trust, which is why he urged the Commission to strengthen the criteria that support the transparency and credibility of the process.
The recommendations were also sent in a formal letter addressed to the Nomination Commission, a document that will be made public later and in which the mission’s findings are developed in greater detail.
The visit of the OAS representatives is framed in the Agreement for the Special Mission to Strengthen Democratic Institutions in Guatemala, installed since November 2025, since when it has followed up on different institutional processes in the country.
According to the above, this is the fourth visit of the mission, which has allowed its members to observe first-hand the complexity of the institutional moment that Guatemala is going through, particularly in relation to the processes of election of second-level authorities.
The delegates reiterated their willingness to accompany the selection process of the next attorney general, with the objective of contributing to its development with standards that strengthen democratic institutions and the trust of citizens.
*Stay up to date with the Now newsletter. Key information at the moment it happens. Subscribe here.