Exonerated!

The United Nations commission trying to beef up Guatemala's criminal justice system earlier this month determined that charges that Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom arranged the assassination of an opponent of his administration, the lawyer Rodrigo Rosenberg, were not true. Apparently Rodriguez - overwhelmed by the death of a client with whom he was also involved - paid others to kill, after he had filmed himself predicting his own death and accusing the president of plotting to have him killed. The film that went viral in Guatemala on YouTube and many Colom opponents called for his removal. But Colom, a center-left figure whose economic development steps and very moderate steps to improve the criminal justice system have met strong opposition, called on the United Nations to investigate and rode out the turmoil.

Two important pieces of background: During this time period the right in Honduras - instead of waiting for an investigation as in Guatemala - had the military oust the center-left president. And - Dennis Smith tells us - although Colom (elected two years ago) is consitutionally barred from serving another term, apparently his wife - whose charity's funding sources are not public - seeks to succeed him.

We'll have to find out how all of this shakes out for Guatemalan politics and for our partners in Izabal, already beset by turmoil associated with the drug business, the nickel mine, and the spread of palm oil plantations.

-- Perry