Strengthening the Republic requires constant citizen vigilance and technical participation in the spaces where crucial decisions for the country are made. Therefore, in the process of electing the Attorney General, the MCN has presented a technical position to ensure that institutionalism prevails over particular interests.
Our Executive President, Christa Walters, appeared before the Postulation Commission to present the MCN's vision and formally present the "Letter for Transparency and Institutionality 2026". This intervention is a necessary exercise in social auditing at a time when Guatemalan justice demands profiles of the highest ethical and professional caliber.
The urgency of a merit-based election
"The strength of institutions largely depends on the quality of the processes that give rise to them."
During her presentation, Walters emphasized that the Postulation Commission holds a historical responsibility that transcends its term. The selection of the six-candidate list to be submitted to the President of the Republic must be the result of a rigorous, technical, and, above all, transparent process.
The central focus of our participation was the imperative reminder of compliance with Article 113 of the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala. This article establishes that Guatemalans have the right to apply for public employment or positions and that their granting shall be based solely on well-founded reasons of capacity, suitability, and honesty.
From the MCN, we maintain that these three pillars are mandatory requirements:
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Capacity: It is not enough to have a degree; superior technical preparation and a deep knowledge of the criminal justice system are required.
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Suitability: The candidate must be fit for the position, without conflicts of interest and with proven independence.
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Honesty: An impeccable track record is the only guarantee that the institution will not be used as a political tool.
What is the Letter for Transparency and why is it vital?
The Citizen Letter for Transparency and Institutionality 2026, officially presented in this space, is a technical-political document that seeks to safeguard the process. In it, the MCN proposes clear mechanisms for citizens to monitor every decision made by the commissioners.
Our proposal to the Commission focused on ensuring rigorous selection processes, understanding that the strength of institutions depends on the quality of the processes that give rise to them. "When trust in institutions weakens, certainty erodes, and the perception that decisions may respond to factors external to merit grows," Christa Walters noted during her intervention.
"This letter compiles an accumulated reading of recent experiences in the country where constitutional election processes have, at various times, been marked by questions of opacity, discretion, and a lack of consistent criteria"
The Role of the MCN in Overseeing the Process
Our participation in the Commission is part of a citizen accompaniment to oversee this type of process. We believe that opacity is the greatest threat to the Republic. We have constantly updated what has happened in the sessions, including disseminating key moments throughout the work carried out by this postulation commission to elect the Attorney General.
The Public Ministry is the institution responsible for criminal prosecution and for ensuring strict compliance with the country's laws. Therefore, whoever leads it cannot be someone elected behind closed doors or under opaque political agreements. The legitimacy of the next Attorney General stems from the transparency with which they are evaluated today.
A call to citizen action
The Letter for Transparency is a living document that represents the voice of thousands of Guatemalans who aspire to live in a solid rule of law.
You can join in signing this Citizen Letter here
The Republic is strengthened only when institutions operate under principles of merit and legality, guaranteeing the legal certainty that Guatemala needs to prosper.