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2026-10-08 05:06 UTC → 2026-10-09 20:25 UTC ·
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Legal challenges escalate over Constitutional Court suspends Banguat leadership President Menkos
During the transition of The leadership transition at the Banco de Guatemala (Banguat), the central bank removed social media content documenting the four-year administration of former president Álvaro González Ricci. While the bank’s official website retains records of his tenure, posts across Facebook, X, and Instagram were deleted prior to Jonathan Menkos assuming the presidency on October 1, 2026. Following the appointment of Jonathan Kiri Thomas Menkos Zeissig, legal challenges have intensified. The Constitutional Court (CC) issued a 48-hour deadline for President Bernardo Arévalo to justify the appointment, following three separate injunctions (amparos). Cacif argues Menkos is illegally holding two public offices simultaneously, while the Vamos parliamentary group contends his 2024 legislative permission was specific to a role as Finance Minister. Additionally, private citizens have challenged his technical qualifications regarding ‘notorious preparation and competence in economic and financial matters.’ On October 5, Menkos appeared before the Finance Commission of the Congress to outline his economic vision despite the ongoing legal disputes. He emphasized maintaining macroeconomic stability and utilizing public investment to increase productive capacity. Addressing fiscal policy, Menkos stated that the projected 4.4% GDP deficit for 2027 is manageable, as it is tied to strategic infrastructure investments, though he noted Guatemala should aim to return to (Banguat) has entered a historical deficit closer to 2%. He forecasted economic growth period of 4.3% for 2026 and at least 4% for 2027. In a significant shift, the Monetary Board of Guatemala has appointed five new authorities for Banguat following instability. Following the resignation of four management officials, including long-serving General Manager Jorge Vinicio Cáceres Dávila, who served for 42 years. the Monetary Board appointed five new authorities. This represents the first complete turnover of the central bank’s management body. In response to Legal disputes regarding the ongoing legal challenges, appointment of Jonathan Menkos Zeissig as President of Banguat and the Monetary Board have escalated. While President Bernardo Arévalo submitted a report to the Constitutional Court (CC) arguing that Menkos’s legislative leave under Article 160 of the Constitution permitted his transition to the Executive branch, the CC justifying issued a provisional injunction suspending Menkos from his roles. The ruling, prompted by legal actions from the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations (Cacif) and Deputy Allan Rodríguez, effectively nullifies Menkos’s appointment. administrative, organizational, and labor actions taken since October 1. José Alfredo Blanco is expected to serve as interim president. In addition to the suspension, the Public Ministry (MP) reported that Menkos faces three criminal complaints involving allegations of abuse of authority and failure to fulfill duties, filed by Deputy Allan Rodríguez and Yulma López España. The MP is currently evaluating these complaints. President Arévalo has stated the government will comply with the court’s ruling while evaluating its scope.