Spying Revelations Highlight Political Weaknesses

Guatemala's political landscape has been rocked by revelations that the country's security agencies have been keeping tabs on high-profile politicians, including President Álvaro Colom and Vice-President Rafael Espada. Spying devices were found in the offices of both Colom and Espada, the detection of which resulted in the immediate firing of the heads of both the government's personal and presidential security units. The exposure illustrates the manner in which organised crime syndicates have infiltrated the highest echelons of the state, underscoring Guatemala's poor showing in the 'characteristics of polity' sub-component of our long-term political risk rating (currently at 43.8).

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