<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><swiss-sanctions-list list-type="amendment" date="2026-01-27"><sanctions-program ssid="900" version-date="2026-01-26" predecessor-version-date="2025-06-25"><program-key lang="eng">Guatemala</program-key><program-key lang="ger">Guatemala</program-key><program-key lang="fre">Guatemala</program-key><program-key lang="ita">Guatemala</program-key><program-name lang="eng">Ordinance of 10 April 2024 on measures concerning Guatemala, annex</program-name><program-name lang="ger">Verordnung vom 10. April 2024 über Massnahmen betreffend Guatemala, Anhang</program-name><program-name lang="fre">Ordonnance du 10 avril 2024 instituant des mesures concernant le Guatemala, annexe</program-name><program-name lang="ita">Ordinanza del 10 aprile 2024 che istituisce provvedimenti concernenti il Guatemala, allegato</program-name><sanctions-set ssid="72634" lang="eng">art. 2 para. 1 (Financial sanctions) and art. 3 para. 1 (Travelban)</sanctions-set><sanctions-set ssid="72634" lang="ger">Art. 2 Abs. 1 (Finanzsanktionen) und Art. 3 Abs. 1 (Ein- und Durchreiseverbot)</sanctions-set><sanctions-set ssid="72634" lang="fre">art. 2, al. 1 (Sanctions financières) et art. 3, al. 1 (Interdiction de séjour et de transit)</sanctions-set><sanctions-set ssid="72634" lang="ita">art. 2 cpv. 1 (Sanzioni finanziarie) e art. 3 cpv. 1 (Divieto di entrata e di transito)</sanctions-set><origin>EU</origin></sanctions-program><target ssid="73506"><sanctions-set-id>72634</sanctions-set-id><individual sex="female"><identity ssid="73508" main="true"><name ssid="94431" name-type="primary-name" quality="good" lang="eng"><name-part order="1" name-part-type="given-name"><value>María</value></name-part><name-part order="2" name-part-type="further-given-name"><value>Consuelo</value></name-part><name-part order="3" name-part-type="family-name"><value>Porras Argueta De Porres</value></name-part></name><nationality ssid="73511"><country iso-code="GT">Guatemala</country></nationality><day-month-year ssid="73509" day="23" month="8" year="1953" calendar="Gregorian" quality="good"/><identification-document ssid="94430" document-type="passport"><number>242159605</number><issuer code="GT">Guatemala</issuer></identification-document></identity><justification ssid="101501">In her position as Attorney General of Guatemala, the highest civil servant in the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office or Chief Prosecutor), María Consuelo Porras Argueta De Porres (a.k.a. “Porras”) is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second rounds of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. Furthermore, under her leadership the Public Ministry has brought arbitrary proceedings against independent journalists, prosecutors, judges, and civil society activists including indigenous leaders and students.</justification><justification ssid="101502">María Consuelo Porras Argueta De Porres is therefore responsible for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification><other-information ssid="73512">Position(s): Attorney General of Guatemala, Head of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala</other-information></individual><modification modification-type="amended" enactment-date="2026-01-26" publication-date="2026-01-27" effective-date="2026-01-27"><added><justification ssid="101501">In her position as Attorney General of Guatemala, the highest civil servant in the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office or Chief Prosecutor), María Consuelo Porras Argueta De Porres (a.k.a. “Porras”) is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second rounds of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. Furthermore, under her leadership the Public Ministry has brought arbitrary proceedings against independent journalists, prosecutors, judges, and civil society activists including indigenous leaders and students.</justification><justification ssid="101502">María Consuelo Porras Argueta De Porres is therefore responsible for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></added><removed><justification ssid="94371">In her position as Attorney General of Guatemala, the highest civil servant in the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office or Chief Prosecutor), María Porras Argueta De Porres (a.k.a. “Porras”) is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second rounds of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. Furthermore, under her leadership the Public Ministry has brought arbitrary proceedings against independent journalists, prosecutors, judges, and civil society activists including indigenous leaders and students.</justification><justification ssid="94372">María Porras Argueta De Porres is therefore responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></removed></modification></target><target ssid="73514"><sanctions-set-id>72634</sanctions-set-id><individual sex="male"><identity ssid="73516" main="true"><name ssid="73518" name-type="primary-name" quality="good" lang="eng"><name-part order="1" name-part-type="given-name"><value>Ángel</value></name-part><name-part order="2" name-part-type="further-given-name"><value>Arnoldo</value></name-part><name-part order="3" name-part-type="family-name"><value>Pineda Ávila</value></name-part></name><nationality ssid="73519"><country iso-code="GT">Guatemala</country></nationality><day-month-year ssid="73517" day="10" month="5" year="1975" calendar="Gregorian" quality="good"/><identification-document ssid="94376" document-type="passport"><number>238937186</number><issuer code="GT">Guatemala</issuer></identification-document></identity><justification ssid="101503">Ángel Pineda Ávila is the Secretary-General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). He is second-in-command in the Public Ministry after the Attorney General, and Head of the General Secretariat of that institution. In that position, Ángel Pineda Ávila is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second round of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. In December 2023, he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid. In 2025, Ángel Pineda Ávila engaged in the spurious investigation into indigenous leaders who were accused of terrorism for their actions in defending the 2023 election results.</justification><justification ssid="101504">Ángel Pineda Ávila is therefore engaging in actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification><other-information ssid="73520">Position(s): Secretary-General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala</other-information></individual><modification modification-type="amended" enactment-date="2026-01-26" publication-date="2026-01-27" effective-date="2026-01-27"><added><justification ssid="101503">Ángel Pineda Ávila is the Secretary-General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). He is second-in-command in the Public Ministry after the Attorney General, and Head of the General Secretariat of that institution. In that position, Ángel Pineda Ávila is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second round of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. In December 2023, he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid. In 2025, Ángel Pineda Ávila engaged in the spurious investigation into indigenous leaders who were accused of terrorism for their actions in defending the 2023 election results.</justification><justification ssid="101504">Ángel Pineda Ávila is therefore engaging in actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></added><removed><justification ssid="94374">Ángel Pineda Ávila is the Secretary-General of the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). He is second-in-command in the Public Ministry after the Attorney General, and Head of the General Secretariat of that institution. In that position, Ángel Pineda Ávila is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the first and second round of elections held in June and August 2023, including through spurious criminal investigations targeting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the political party Movimiento Semilla and President Arévalo. In December 2023, he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid.</justification><justification ssid="94375">Ángel Pineda Ávila is therefore responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></removed></modification></target><target ssid="94406"><sanctions-set-id>72634</sanctions-set-id><individual sex="male"><identity ssid="94409" main="true"><name ssid="94412" name-type="primary-name" quality="good" lang="eng"><name-part order="1" name-part-type="given-name"><value>Raúl</value></name-part><name-part order="2" name-part-type="further-given-name"><value>Amílcar</value></name-part><name-part order="3" name-part-type="family-name"><value>Falla Ovalle</value></name-part></name><nationality ssid="94413"><country iso-code="GT">Guatemala</country></nationality><day-month-year ssid="94410" day="9" month="11" year="1971" calendar="Gregorian" quality="good"/><identification-document ssid="94411" document-type="passport"><number>179421166</number><issuer code="GT">Guatemala</issuer></identification-document></identity><justification ssid="101507">Raúl Falla Ovalle is the legal representative of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, indigenous leaders, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of defendants.</justification><justification ssid="101508">Through those actions, Raúl Falla Ovalle engages in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, civil society, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification><other-information ssid="94414">Position(s): Legal representative, Foundation against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT</other-information><other-information ssid="94415">Associated individuals: Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés</other-information><other-information ssid="94416">Associated entities: Foundation against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT</other-information><other-information ssid="94417">Social media: https://x.com/RaulFalla31</other-information></individual><modification modification-type="amended" enactment-date="2026-01-26" publication-date="2026-01-27" effective-date="2026-01-27"><added><justification ssid="101507">Raúl Falla Ovalle is the legal representative of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, indigenous leaders, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of defendants.</justification><justification ssid="101508">Through those actions, Raúl Falla Ovalle engages in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, civil society, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification></added><removed><justification ssid="94407">Raúl Falla Ovalle is the legal representative of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of defendants.</justification><justification ssid="94408">Through those actions, Raúl Falla Ovalle engages in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification></removed></modification></target><target ssid="73522"><sanctions-set-id>72634</sanctions-set-id><individual sex="male"><identity ssid="73524" main="true"><name ssid="73526" name-type="primary-name" quality="good" lang="eng"><name-part order="1" name-part-type="given-name"><value>José</value></name-part><name-part order="2" name-part-type="further-given-name"><value>Rafael</value></name-part><name-part order="3" name-part-type="family-name"><value>Curruchiche Cucul</value></name-part></name><nationality ssid="73527"><country iso-code="GT">Guatemala</country></nationality><day-month-year ssid="73525" day="28" month="7" year="1970" calendar="Gregorian" quality="good"/><identification-document ssid="94379" document-type="passport"><number>229488307</number><issuer code="GT">Guatemala</issuer></identification-document></identity><justification ssid="101505">José Curruchiche Cucul is the Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (FECI), which operates under the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). Under his leadership, the FECI spearheaded the ongoing investigation into the creation of the political party Movimiento Semilla of President Arévalo. He personally participated in the raid by the Public Ministry of the premises of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal that entailed the opening of sealed ballot boxes. Additionally, he was involved in the request for the suspension of the legal personality of Movimiento Semilla in July 2023. Furthermore, in December 2023 he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid. He has been personally involved in the spurious investigation into and the spurious prosecution of democratically elected authorities, former representatives of the media (such as journalist José Rubén Zamora), as well as justice operators, especially the spurious investigation into and the spurious prosecution of those who fought against corruption and impunity with the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).</justification><justification ssid="101506">Through those actions, José Curruchiche Cucul is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the 2023 elections in Guatemala. He is therefore responsible for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification><other-information ssid="73528">Position(s): Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity, Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala</other-information></individual><modification modification-type="amended" enactment-date="2026-01-26" publication-date="2026-01-27" effective-date="2026-01-27"><added><justification ssid="101505">José Curruchiche Cucul is the Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (FECI), which operates under the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). Under his leadership, the FECI spearheaded the ongoing investigation into the creation of the political party Movimiento Semilla of President Arévalo. He personally participated in the raid by the Public Ministry of the premises of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal that entailed the opening of sealed ballot boxes. Additionally, he was involved in the request for the suspension of the legal personality of Movimiento Semilla in July 2023. Furthermore, in December 2023 he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid. He has been personally involved in the spurious investigation into and the spurious prosecution of democratically elected authorities, former representatives of the media (such as journalist José Rubén Zamora), as well as justice operators, especially the spurious investigation into and the spurious prosecution of those who fought against corruption and impunity with the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG).</justification><justification ssid="101506">Through those actions, José Curruchiche Cucul is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the 2023 elections in Guatemala. He is therefore responsible for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></added><removed><justification ssid="94377">José Curruchiche Cucul is the Head of the Special Prosecution Office Against Impunity (FECI), which operates under the Public Ministry (Ministerio Público) of Guatemala (equivalent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office). Under his leadership, the FECI spearheaded the ongoing investigation into the creation of the political party Movimiento Semilla of President Arévalo. He personally participated in the raid by the Public Ministry of the premises of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal that entailed the opening of sealed ballot boxes. Additionally, he was involved in the request for the suspension of the legal personality of Movimiento Semilla in July 2023. Furthermore, in December 2023 he participated in a press conference where the Public Ministry presented claims that the outcome of the first round of elections in June 2023 was invalid.</justification><justification ssid="94378">Through those actions, José Curruchiche Cucul is involved in efforts to overturn the results of the 2023 elections in Guatemala. He is therefore responsible for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.</justification></removed></modification></target><target ssid="94396"><sanctions-set-id>72634</sanctions-set-id><individual sex="male"><identity ssid="94397" main="true"><name ssid="94400" name-type="primary-name" quality="good" lang="eng"><name-part order="1" name-part-type="given-name"><value>Ricardo</value></name-part><name-part order="2" name-part-type="further-given-name"><value>Rafael</value></name-part><name-part order="3" name-part-type="family-name"><value>Méndez-Ruiz Valdés</value></name-part></name><nationality ssid="94401"><country iso-code="GT">Guatemala</country></nationality><day-month-year ssid="94398" day="9" month="10" year="1959" calendar="Gregorian" quality="good"/><identification-document ssid="94429" document-type="passport"><number>268287872</number><issuer code="GT">Guatemala</issuer></identification-document></identity><justification ssid="101509">Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés is President of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, indigenous leaders, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically-elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of the defendants.</justification><justification ssid="101510">Through those actions, Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés has engaged in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including the persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, civil society, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification><other-information ssid="94402">Position(s): President, Foundation against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT</other-information><other-information ssid="94403">Associated individuals: Raúl Amílcar Falla Ovalle</other-information><other-information ssid="94404">Associated entities: Foundation against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT</other-information><other-information ssid="94405">Social media: https://x.com/rmendezruiz</other-information></individual><modification modification-type="amended" enactment-date="2026-01-26" publication-date="2026-01-27" effective-date="2026-01-27"><added><justification ssid="101509">Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés is President of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, indigenous leaders, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically-elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of the defendants.</justification><justification ssid="101510">Through those actions, Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés has engaged in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including the persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, civil society, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification></added><removed><justification ssid="94427">Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés is President of the Foundation Against Terrorism (Fundación contra el Terrorismo), FCT. The FCT is involved in a campaign of politically-motivated prosecutions led by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office against journalists, prosecutors and judges who have been involved in exposing corruption and impunity in Guatemala as well as against the democratically-elected government of Guatemala, including President Bernardo Arévalo. The FCT has initiated a multitude of criminal investigations against justice operators, journalists and representatives of the government through the filing of criminal complaints and by acting as third party plaintiff in criminal proceedings that do not respect the fundamental rights of the defendants.</justification><justification ssid="94428">Through those actions, Ricardo Méndez-Ruiz Valdés has engaged in actions that undermine the rule of law in Guatemala, including the persecution and intimidation of representatives of the media, and of lawyers, judges and prosecutors.</justification></removed></modification></target></swiss-sanctions-list>