Guatemala, October 7, 2011. As part of the fight against corruption and impunity in State institutions, Francisco Javier Dall'Anese Ruiz, head of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), and Nora Segura Monzón, Comptroller General of Guatemala, signed a bilateral cooperation agreement.

The Comptroller explained that by signing the agreement, the two parties seek to work in a coordinated, technical and professional manner in fighting corruption and impunity. "The goal is to fight crimes committed by high-ranking officials and civil servants, because we are convinced that only by working together will it be possible to better tackle such problems, in an effective an efficient manner, and also support justice institutions such that they have additional means of trying and eradicating these crimes."

The Comptroller explained how the CICIG mandate provides for the signing and implementation of cooperation agreements with those Guatemalan State institutions charged with conducting criminal investigations and prosecutions, because the Commission was created to support, strengthen and cooperate with Government offices.

"The Comptroller General is responsible for monitoring the income and expenditure of State bodies. Therefore, our two institutions are joining forces in the fight against impunity, corruption and similar crimes—all of which cause such great harm to the country," she stated.

Pledge
In his address, the Commissioner pledged to work in a coordinated fashion in tackling the high levels of corruption of Government institutions, because it is a scourge which impacts greatly upon the economy, the health system and the work of Guatemalans.

"Organized crime is taking advantage of the status quo, because when the State fails to provide these services (due to the lack of economic resources resulting from money ending up in the pockets of private individuals), the gang bosses provide for social needs and begin to recruit the population and negatively transform our world, creating harmful effects for the people," he stressed.

The Commissioner believes it is important to maintain the cooperation between the two institutions until the end of the mandate of CICIG in order to "support the Comptroller's Office and send all the corrupt individuals we catch to prison, working side by side in a serious and efficient manner and benefiting the Guatemalan people."