Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GUATEMALA1268
2008-10-08 23:10:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Guatemala
Cable title:
FORMER PRESIDENT PORTILLO EXTRADITED TO GUATEMALA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHGT #1268 2822310 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 082310Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6230 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO PRIORITY 4966 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001268
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KJUS GT
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT PORTILLO EXTRADITED TO GUATEMALA
TO FACE EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, FREE ON BAIL
Classified By: Ambassador McFarland for reasons 1.4(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001268
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KJUS GT
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT PORTILLO EXTRADITED TO GUATEMALA
TO FACE EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, FREE ON BAIL
Classified By: Ambassador McFarland for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (U) On October 7, after more than four years of legal
battle to avoid extradition, former President Alfonso
Portillo (2000-2004) turned himself in to Mexican authorities
for extradition to face embezzlement charges in Guatemala.
Portillo, a fugitive from justice since 2005, fled to Mexico
in February 2004 after being charged in several cases of
official corruption. He returned to Guatemala to face
charges after the Mexican Supreme Court rejected his final
appeal, and the Mexican Attorney General's Office issued a
warrant for his arrest.
2. (U) Within two hours of his return to Guatemala, Portillo
was released on Q1 million (USD 133,333) bail and on
condition that he sign the parole book every month and not
leave the country. The judge rejected the petition of the
Attorney General's Office to place him in preventive
detention, and determined that Portillo, who is a well-known
figure in Guatemala, was not a flight risk.
3. (C) Comment: While sympathizers applauded Portillo's
return and immediate release on bail, the public and press
expressed outrage. There is rife public speculation that
Portillo cut a deal with the Colom government and/or the
judiciary for lenient treatment prior to turning himself in
to Mexican authorities to be extradited. Many see this as an
emblematic case of impunity for elites.
McFarland
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2018
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KJUS GT
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT PORTILLO EXTRADITED TO GUATEMALA
TO FACE EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, FREE ON BAIL
Classified By: Ambassador McFarland for reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (U) On October 7, after more than four years of legal
battle to avoid extradition, former President Alfonso
Portillo (2000-2004) turned himself in to Mexican authorities
for extradition to face embezzlement charges in Guatemala.
Portillo, a fugitive from justice since 2005, fled to Mexico
in February 2004 after being charged in several cases of
official corruption. He returned to Guatemala to face
charges after the Mexican Supreme Court rejected his final
appeal, and the Mexican Attorney General's Office issued a
warrant for his arrest.
2. (U) Within two hours of his return to Guatemala, Portillo
was released on Q1 million (USD 133,333) bail and on
condition that he sign the parole book every month and not
leave the country. The judge rejected the petition of the
Attorney General's Office to place him in preventive
detention, and determined that Portillo, who is a well-known
figure in Guatemala, was not a flight risk.
3. (C) Comment: While sympathizers applauded Portillo's
return and immediate release on bail, the public and press
expressed outrage. There is rife public speculation that
Portillo cut a deal with the Colom government and/or the
judiciary for lenient treatment prior to turning himself in
to Mexican authorities to be extradited. Many see this as an
emblematic case of impunity for elites.
McFarland