Guatemala bars entry to UN-sponsored corruption investigator

By SONNY FIGUEROA AND SONIA D. PEREZ GUATEMALA CITY — Jan 6, 2019, 2:47 PM ET

Authorities in Guatemala were holding a member of a U.N.-sponsored anti-corruption commission in the capital's airport on Sunday, refusing him entry to the country in an escalation of tensions between the government and the commission.

Colombian national Yilen Osorio was detained by Guatemalan immigration officials upon arrival at the airport Saturday afternoon. The move comes despite a court ruling that Guatemala must grant visas and entry to members of the commission known as CICIG, which has investigated top members of Guatemala's government, as well as President Jimmy Morales' son and his brother. They deny accusations of corruption.

Guatemala's attorney general sent more than 30 representatives and security personnel to the airport to protect Osorio. Meanwhile, civic groups protested his detention outside the airport, where more than 100 police were standing guard.

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Osorio heads an investigation of alleged bribery implicating the vice president of congress and others. He also participated in a campaign finance investigation into the dealings of Morales' political party.

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