Backers of efforts to combat corruption in Guatemala are vowing that work will not be stopped by U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio putting a hold on $6 million in U.S. contributions for a U.N.-sponsored commission probing graft in the country. Guatemalan lawmaker Andrea Villagran said Monday that lobbyists in Washington are misinterpreting the fight against corruption in Guatemala and is hopeful that Rubio's request will not last. Rubio announced the hold Friday, which affects funding already authorized by Congress but not yet disbursed. They claim to be the victims of a plot orchestrated by Moscow but have produced no evidence to support their allegation. Rubio also sent a letter to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales asking him to guarantee the Bitkovs' safety.

Source: ABC News May 07, 2018 23:14 UTC