Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei has announced that he will not attend the Summit of the Americas next month in Los Angeles, citing criticism from the Biden administration for reappointing an attorney general whom the US accuses of sheltering corrupt officials.

Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei announced Tuesday that he will not attend the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles next month, citing criticism from the Biden administration for reappointing an attorney general accused of sheltering the corrupt.

Giammattei stated during an event at the Mexican Embassy that a country’s sovereignty must be honoured.

His announcement came after several other regional leaders expressed reservations about attending the summit, which was expected to be a watershed event in the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts in Latin America.

Giammattei appointed Guatemala’s top prosecutor, Consuelo Porras, to a second four-year term late Monday. The US government, the European Union, and others had publicly condemned Porras’ performance, particularly the opening of investigations against anti-corruption prosecutors and judges.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Monday night that Porras and her immediate family will be barred from entering the country.

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