WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 07th September, 2018) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a phone call on Thursday told Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales that the United States supports reforming the UN anti-corruption body currently operating in his country, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Thursday.�
Morales expelled the head of the UN-mandated International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) last week. Local media reported that the CICIG and Guatemalan prosecutors were seeking to investigate Morales over corruption charges.
"The Secretary [Pompeo] expressed continued support of the United States for a reformed CICIG and committed to continue working with Guatemala on implementing the reforms in the coming year," Nauert said.
The two leaders, she added, also discussed the importance of cooperating in the fight against corruption and impunity.
On Wednesday, US Congressmen Eliot Engel and Albio Sires said Congress would consider reducing aid to Guatemala if Morales does not reverse his decision to expel CICIG head Ivan Velasquez.
