Guatemala Blog
About this blog
Al Argueta loves Guatemala, and travels there often. This blog will update information found in his books, and also be a forum to answer reader questions about all things Guatemala.
Recent Posts
- Dresden Codex May Yield Location of Maya Treasure
- A Room with a View
- Weekend en Guatemala
- Reflections on the 1996 Peace Accords
- New Flights to Guatemala City
- Alta Verapaz Under State of Siege
- A Very Important Message Regarding ATMs
- Antigua Guatemala Tones Down New Year's Celebration
- Pollo Campero Takes on Disney World
- Widespread Disgust at Murder of Anthropologist
- More Good Press for Guatemala
- Eight Found Guilty in Slaying of Salvadoran Diplomats
- Lake Atitlán to Host Film Festival
- Galerias La Pradera Gets a Facelift
- Former INGUAT Director Accused of Stealing $3.5 Million
Former INGUAT Director Accused of Stealing $3.5 Million
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
As reported in a blog post last week, Guatemala's State-run tourism agency, INGUAT, recently saw the installation of its fourth director in less than three years. As I also pointed out, it seems little has been done in the past few years in terms of publicity on Guatemala (one of INGUAT's main functions). This week, a possible explanation emerges with Prensa Libre reporting the Guatemalan Treasury is taking former INGUAT director Roberto Robles to court over the handling of $3.5 million (out of a total $5 million) destined for international advertising.
Supposedly, a contract was drawn up with a Panamanian ad agency to run 11,000 TV ad spaces on international channels in 2009. The ads would run on CNN, Fox, Discovery Channel and National Geographic Channel, among others.
Former director Robles defended himself against the accusations and pointed to documents proving the validity of the ad campaign. He plans to file a counter-suit and is confident he will win the case.
In 2009, former Treasury Secretary Carlos Mencos had said auditors were not satisfied with documentation presented attesting to the validity of the ad campaign, as the certifications did not come from the TV channels in which the ads were supposed to have run. INGUAT's governing laws, badly in need of an overhaul, allow for the contracting of international ad campaigns without going through the usual channels used to ensure financial transparency.
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.