Guatemalan leader won’t attend summit in L.A.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said Tuesday he will not attend the Summit of the Americas next month in Los Angeles, following criticism from the Biden administration for reappointing an attorney general the U.S. accuses of protecting the corrupt.

During an event at the Mexican Embassy, Giammattei said a country’s sovereignty must be respected.

His announcement came after several other regional leader have raised the possibility of not going to the summit, which was supposed to be a key moment for the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts in Latin America.

Late Monday, Giammattei appointed Consuelo Porras to a second four-year term as Guatemala’s top prosecutor.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Monday night that the U.S. would bar Porras and her immediate family from the United States.