The former Director of National Intelligence for President Donald Trump strongly criticized the Biden administration for attempting to interfere in Guatemala's domestic politics.
The Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, criticized on X (Twitter) the recent arrest of former Minister of the Interior Napoleón Barrientos, who resigned from his position in October after refusing to clear dozens of blockades that demanded the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras.
Napoleón Barrientos was arrested this Thursday for the alleged crime of breach of duty, according to local media outlet República GT. This generated criticism from the Organization of American States (OAS).
“We condemn the latest actions by anti-democratic actors in Guatemala, including today’s arrest of former Interior Minister Napoleón Barrientos for defending the right to peaceful protest,” wrote Nichols, who also said that incoming president Bernardo Arévalo and his vice president, Karin Herrera will take office on January 14.
We condemn the latest actions by anti-democratic actors in Guatemala, including today’s arrest of former Interior Minister Napoleón Barrientos for defending the right to peaceful protest. President-elect @BArevalodeLeon & VP-elect @KarinHerreraVP will take office January 14.
— Brian A. Nichols (@WHAAsstSecty) January 11, 2024
Richard Grenell, who was U.S. ambassador to Germany and acting Director of National Intelligence in the Trump era, severely rebuked Nichols' post and claimed that the Biden administration is attacking conservatives in the Central American country.
You have personally politicized your position and it’s shameful.
You have weaponized visas and access to America with more phony “anti-Democratic” rhetoric. You’ve abused the Engle List.
There should be an IG investigation of *YOU* and everyone on your team who went after… https://t.co/BfOQue2GTX
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) January 11, 2024
“You have personally politicized your position and it’s shameful,” Grenell said. “You have weaponized visas and access to America with more phony 'anti-Democratic' rhetoric. You’ve abused the Engle List.”
The Engel list groups together “corrupt and undemocratic actors” from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua. Recently, the Biden administration added several Guatemalan officials from the government of Alejandro Giammattei, the outgoing president of the Central American country.
Relations between Guatemala and the United States since Biden's arrival in the White House have been considerably strained with Washington constantly putting pressure on Giammattei and his officials while appearing to support its political adversaries.
“There should be an IG investigation of *YOU* and everyone on your team who went after Guatemalan officials who spoke out against election fraud,” Grenell continued in his post, referencing to Washington's sanctions last October against Guatemalan officials that supposedly “undermined democracy.”
“You’ve interfered in Guatemala’s Democratic process with your phony and partisan attacks,” Grenell stated. “Your job is to promote America - not to interfere in Guatemala’s internal affairs by targeting the conservatives to help the Left wing Progressives.”
Apropos of the controversy, Senator Mike Lee (R-UH) endorsed former Director Grenell's words and his criticism of the Joe Biden Administration.
"It is amazing how intensely the Biden Administration tries to punish anyone who raises legitimate and credible concerns about voter fraud. Not just in the U.S., even in Guatemala," the senator wrote in X.
It’s stunning how intensely the Biden Administration tries to punish anyone who raises legitimate, credible concerns regarding election fraud.
Not just in the U.S.
Even in Guatemala. https://t.co/896IDAWtHX
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 11, 2024
