The selection process for the Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the 2026–2030 term in Guatemala was formally initiated in January 2026 through the approval of Legislative Agreement 1-2026 by the Congress of the Republic, and is currently underway. The Nominating Commission is leading the process and is responsible for evaluating and selecting candidates in accordance with the requirements established in the Political Constitution of the Republic and the Organic Law of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Between 24 February and 13 April 2026, the Commission reviewed and screened applications, reducing the initial list to 48 candidates who remain in the process following decisions on temporary exclusions. At the same time, an internal process is taking place within the Public Prosecutor’s Office to establish the assembly that will influence the selection process. This process involves active prosecutors and is conducted in accordance with the current institutional guidelines. The process has not yet concluded, as key stages remain pending, including the final evaluation, the preparation of the final list of candidates, and the appointment of the selected candidate.
From the perspective of civil society, this process reflects a recurring pattern in Guatemala regarding the selection of high-level justice authorities, where concerns persist over transparency, evaluation criteria, and possible external influence. In this context, civil society organizations have continued monitoring and advocacy efforts, including public statements calling for the selection of suitable candidates based on merit, independence, and integrity.
The process is highly relevant to the enabling environment, as the person appointed will be responsible for leading the institution in charge of public criminal prosecution during the 2026–2030 period. The process has direct implications for judicial independence, accountability, and public trust in the justice system, while also testing the current constitutional and legal framework governing the selection of public authorities.
In the past period, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has played a central role in the criminalization and persecution of activists, journalists, and civil society actors. The selection process therefore presents a critical juncture to prevent the continued instrumentalization of the justice system against civil society.
However, if the process is not conducted with transparency, objectivity, and adherence to technical criteria, it could generate negative consequences, including weakened public trust in institutions, erosion of accountability mechanisms, and restrictions on civil society’s operational space and its ability to engage in advocacy and oversight. Overall, the outcome of this process will have long-term structural implications for the justice system, the rule of law, and civic space in Guatemala.
El evento no puede considerarse un hecho aislado, sino que forma parte de un patrón recurrente en los procesos de elección de altas autoridades del sistema de justicia en Guatemala. En los últimos años, distintos procesos de designación —incluyendo magistraturas y otras posiciones clave— han estado acompañados de cuestionamientos relacionados con la transparencia, la aplicación de criterios objetivos de evaluación y posibles influencias externas en la toma de decisiones.
Durante el último año, se han observado dinámicas similares en cuanto a la participación activa de organizaciones de sociedad civil que realizan acciones de monitoreo, incidencia y pronunciamiento público, con el objetivo de fortalecer la rendición de cuentas y promover la idoneidad de las candidaturas. Estas acciones responden a una tendencia consolidada de vigilancia ciudadana frente a procesos considerados de alta relevancia institucional.
En este contexto, el proceso actual de elección del Fiscal General y Jefe del Ministerio Público continúa esta línea, evidenciando tanto los desafíos estructurales del sistema como los esfuerzos sostenidos de diversos actores por incidir en la construcción de un entorno más transparente, independiente y apegado al Estado de derecho.