Proposal for anti-crime tax to strengthen Guatemala's weak judicial system sparks debate
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A proposal to establish a temporary anti-crime tax is drawing mixed opinions in Guatemala, where the justice system is so weak that a U.N. anti-impunity commission is lending a hand.
A group of experts suggested Tuesday the country institute a transitory tax to strengthen domestic prosecutors' offices. At present about 95 percent of crimes go unpunished in Guatemala.
Ivan Velasquez is the head of the U.N. commission. Velasquez says a similar tax was imposed to finance the 1996 peace accords that ended 36 years of civil war.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}But Javier Zepeda heads the country's leading industry association, and he opposes any new taxes right now.
The country's anti-crime and anti-corruption forces are riding high after forcing the resignation of former president Otto Perez Molina for his links to a corruption scandal.