US imposes sanctions on Guatemalan officials over democracy and journalists targeting

The US government has imposed sanctions on 10 Guatemalan officials, several accused of targeting journalists and undermining democracy, as the country struggles with electoral troubles.

The State Department’s report also names 13 officials from Nicaragua, six from El Salvador and 10 from Honduras, all accused of anti-democratic activity and corruption. Individuals named in the report are barred from entering the US and their visas have been cancelled.

Guatemala’s democracy has been under scrutiny since the first round of voting for the presidential election in June. The electoral commission has been accused of bias while one progressive party was suspended.