U.S. says Guatemala ministry is interfering in election transition of power

The U.S. State Department said on Sunday it is “gravely concerned” that Guatemala’s Public Ministry is trying to undermine the transfer of power to President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, who recorded a landslide victory in August.
The ministry, which functions similar to the attorney general in other countries, raided the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Friday for at least 20 hours to seize boxes holding tabulations from general election voting.
“The United States is gravely concerned with continued efforts to undermine Guatemala’s peaceful transition of power to President-elect Arevalo,” Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said in a statement.
The U.S. is imposing visa restrictions on current and former members of Congress, justice officials and anyone else who undermines democracy, the statement added.
Guatemala’s government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.