The Wire - December 9, 2023

RR The Wire 1830Z December 9, 2023PRECEDENCE: ROUTINE RRDTG: 183009Z DEC 23ICOD: 173009Z DEC 23CONTROLS: Public ReleaseQQQQBLUF: ELECTION TURMOIL IN GUATEMALA. U.S. BEGINS PROCESS OF EXPEDITING AFGHAN IMMIGRANTS FROM PAKISTAN. -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-South America: Political turmoil strikes Guatemala regarding recent elections. The Public Prosecutor’s office is calling for criminal charges against President-Elect Bernardo Arévalo due to “election irregularities”. AC: Despite the claims of a coup grabbing headlines, there is more to the story than meets the eye. The specific “irregularities” that have been found by the Public Prosecutor’s office involve the alleged falsification of polling station certificates, and the manipulation of computer systems. However, the forensic evidence of these claims has not yet been made public. The claims of a “coup” have come about after the Public Prosecutor’s office has submitted a complaint to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to nullify and investigate the election.Middle East: Following the visit of US Assistant Secretary of State Juliana Noyes to Pakistan a few days ago, the U.S. has begun the process of expediting the immigration of Afghan refugees into the United States. As a reminder, Pakistan began the process of deporting all undocumented immigrants last month, which included around 1.7 million Afghan refugees.South Africa: Yesterday the Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) party carried out a large nationwide voter registration campaign, along with rallies in support of the EFF.-Homefront-USA: The Senator Menendez corruption scandal continues following the revelation of new information. In June of 2022, the FBI raided Senator Bob Menendez’s home, finding $480,000 in cash, and a stack of gold bars. Recent disclosures highlight that some of the serial numbers on these gold bars match those of gold bars that were reported as being stolen during an armed robbery in 2013. These gold bars were allegedly used as payment for a bribe by the Egyptian government to influence the Senator.-Analyst Comments-In South Africa, the electoral interests of the EFF are certain to increase tensions during the 2024 election season, and could result in boiling points being reached in an already tumultuous society. Recent voter registration events are certainly a move intended to expand their influence and solidify political control in provinces such as Western Cape (which historically has been challenging for the EFF to get a foothold in). As a reminder, the EFF is South Africa’s third-largest political party, having recently risen to prominence following controversy surrounding the routinely militant and violent tactics used by supporters. The leader of the EFF is Julius Malema, who has been at the center of controversy following his calls for violence against white farmers.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst: S2AEND REPORTNNNN