Guatemala’s President Dismisses Minister Over Misuse of Official Vehicles
In a recent press release, the Guatemalan Government announced that President Bernardo Arévalo de León has dismissed his Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, María José Iturbide. The decision was made following allegations of improper use of official vehicles and bodyguards for personal family matters.
The Government stated that the decision was made by the President to uphold his commitment against corruption and to maintain transparency within the administration. Iturbide’s dismissal marks the first cabinet member to be removed since Arévalo de León took office on January 15, just ahead of his 100th day in power on April 23.
President Arévalo de León has also instructed the recently established National Commission Against Corruption to outline clear guidelines regarding the use of official vehicles to prevent any future misuse.
The controversy surrounding Iturbide arose after local media reported that her daughter had utilized official vehicles and state security for personal reasons. Initially, President Arévalo de León had announced that Iturbide would face disciplinary action, but ultimately decided to terminate her employment, expressing gratitude for her past service to the State.
The 65-year-old President came into power in 2023 on an anti-corruption platform, despite facing legal challenges from the Public Ministry leading up to his inauguration. Iturbide had defended her actions by stating that she had requested security from the State earlier this year due to alleged security concerns for her family.
As Guatemala continues to navigate issues of corruption and accountability, the dismissal of Minister Iturbide serves as a reminder of the government’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance practices.