Walter Mazariegos would seek a settlement through judicial means, with the support of the Appeals Chambers

Home News Walter Mazariegos would seek a settlement through judicial means, with the support of the Appeals Chambers
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June 25, 2026June 25, 2026By Mario Vásquez
Walter Mazariegos would seek a settlement through judicial means, with the support of the Appeals Chambers

In the race to consummate his re-election, Walter Mazariegos would already be seeking through judicial means for the Comptroller General of Accounts (CGC) to issue his Temporary Certificate of Nonexistence of Claim for Charges, or settlement.

Sources consulted do not rule out that Mazariegos obtains support through an Appeals chamber, who are the ones with the competence to hear the request and who would also seek the eventual support of the USAC for the next integration of Cortes.

The settlement is the document that, legally, could prevent Mazariegos from taking possession on July 1, since it is a requirement regulated in the Probity Law.

The lack of this document was justified on June 23 by the CGC during a summons in Congress, where it explained that Mazariegos cannot obtain a settlement, because he has been denounced for irregularities in the administration of Usac in the last four years.

Mazariegos was named winner of the April 8 elections in Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, where the electoral bodies were summoned to vote. For that election, Mazariegos no longer had the settlement, because the CGC had already presented three complaints to the Public Ministry (MP); However, the CSU authorities ignored that requirement and validated his candidacy.

Now, less than a week before his term as rector ends, and he assumes a new period, Mazariegos has already accumulated at least 17 complaints that are in the Public Ministry.

Negotiations with rooms?

Lawyer Javier Monterroso, independent analyst and former secretary of the MP, agrees that the only way in which Mazariegos could receive a settlement is through an amparo, and for reasons of jurisdiction, he would be appointed to an Appeals chamber.

“There is a risk that a Chamber will give him protection, as has happened with mayors and other officials,” warns the lawyer, adding that “the problem is that the CSU has already failed to comply with the legislation for a long time,” which can be taken as a parameter for it to continue doing so.

“Before taking office, the CSU must demand the settlement; if you do not do so, you are in breach of duties. This document is a requirement not only to apply for the position, but if it was not necessary to participate as a candidate,” warns Monterroso.

The magistrates who would know the possible protection of Mazariegos would be from the group appointed in 2024, but in Monterroso’s opinion, a resolution in favor of the continuity of the rector could hide political negotiations.

“They (the magistrates) are confident, because the deans can support them in the re-election, that is why it is important to modify the system of Nomination Commissions that allows these pacts for the re-election of magistrates,” he indicates.

Professional discredit

For Marco Vinicio de la Rosa, opponent of Mazariegos and elected councilor of the CSU, who has not been given possession, he also sees that the only option Mazariegos has is to press for an amparo and the rector would have a bargaining chip to obtain the document.

“The protection is one way, but we must remember that the reason why they do not settle it is a problem that remains unresolved. It is precisely the failure to comply with university regulations and resist calling elections; they have not made the changes for a democratic process,” explained De la Rosa.

The elected councilor considers that a judge or magistrate who rules in favor of Mazariegos would have a bad public image, but does not rule out that the scenario comes to fruition. “If a judge or magistrate gives protection to Walter Mazariegos, he will be marked for his entire professional life, for not respecting the law in general, endorsing opaque processes.”

The CGC was asked if they have been notified of legal actions on behalf of Walter Mazariegos, but did not respond to the request. However, in the past the CGC has issued settlements after being forced by judicial authorities, in those cases, it delivers them with an annotation that highlights the issuance under judicial warning, however, it does not diminish the validity of the document.

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