After Guatemala paid off its debt to Teco Energy, the $15.75 million embargo was lifted, resources that the country had allocated for interest payments from some Eurobond holders.
Arguing that from 2008 to 2013 the Guatemalan National Energy Commission set a maximum amount that electricity distribution companies could charge the user, Teco Energy, a company that was a shareholder of Empresa Electrica de Guatemala, sued the country internationally.
After receiving a ruling opposing the international arbitration disputed with Teco Energy, the New York State Supreme Court ordered the seizure of $15.75 million from Guatemala.
Teco Energy is a company that was a shareholder of Empresa Eléctrica de Guatemala and years ago claimed international arbitration, arguing that from 2008 to 2013 the National Energy Commission set a maximum amount that energy distribution companies could charge the user.
After IC Power Asia Development sued the Guatemalan State for violating its rights under the Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Guatemalan government.
On February 20, 2018, the Israeli entity IC Power Asia Development LTD. (former owner of Energuate) sued the State of Guatemala as a result of an inspection carried out by the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT), to verify the liquidation of Income Tax (ISR), informed the Ministry of Economy (Mineco).
After the Municipality of the head of the province of San Marcos, in Guatemala, decreed several trade restrictions to contain the advance of covid-19, the Constitutional Court decided to suspend them.
The country's highest court in constitutional matters heard the case after the Chamber of Commerce filed an action for protection against the provisions of the municipal corporation of the capital city of San Marcos, which were published on August 11 and are contained in Act 73-2020.
The Guatemalan Ministry of Energy and Mines decided to revoke the license it had granted in early 2020 to the Rocja Pontilá hydroelectric project, in Coban, Alta Verapaz.
Arguing that the requirements established by law to issue a license were not met, the authorities in Guatemala decided to suspend the environmental permit for the Rocja Pontila Central hydroelectric project.
In Guatemala, a group of deputies filed an unconstitutionality action against the ministerial agreement approving the Rocja Pontila hydroelectric project.
The authorization for the hydroelectric plant, owned by the Pontila Integrated Development Project and planned to be built on the Icbolay River in Alta Verapaz, was issued on January 13, 2020.
The legal appeal that the congressmen who make up the National Unity of Hope (Une) party presented to the Constitutional Court (CC), argues that Ministerial Agreement 019-2020 of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) violates seven articles of the Constitution, including 1, 3, 12, 44, 66, 97 and 154.
For agricultural producers, the use of precision biotechnology in Guatemala requires a specialized committee so that the authorities' decisions are based on technical and scientific evidence, and not under the influence of political or ideological interests.
Guatemala already has regulations in this area, since on October 1, 2019, the regulatory framework signed by the Ministry of Economy with its counterparts in El Salvador and Honduras came into effect.
The Legislative Assembly approved the Law on Integral Waste Management and Promotion of Recycling, with the objective of achieving correct waste management in the country, through the separation of organic and inorganic waste.
From the statement of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
December 19th, 2019. With a firm commitment to protect the environment and conserve the country's natural resources, protect the aquifers and promote a culture of recycling, the Legislative Assembly approved the Law of Integral Waste Management and Promotion of Recycling, a regulation that will allow the correct management of waste in the country, through the separation of organic and inorganic waste, as appropriate, and will also promote the purchase and sale of paper, aluminum, plastic, among others.
A bill being discussed in the Costa Rican Assembly aims to accelerate and simplify the processes followed by companies when they request to be declared in a state of insolvency or bankruptcy.
Currently in the country there are two liquidation processes, which are bankruptcy and insolvency, in addition to two others in which "...the debtor makes proposals to creditors to reach a solution, which are the administration and reorganization with judicial intervention, exclusively for companies, and the preventive agreement, for companies and individuals."
Sanctioning anyone who transfers money through systems not authorized by the competent authority with an 8 to 15-year prison term is part of the bill that will be presented to the Assembly.
On November 12, the Cabinet Council approved the bill adding article 253-A to the Criminal Code, which will be presented to the National Assembly for discussion and subsequent approval.
In Costa Rica, the Assembly approved in second debate the bill that prohibits the delivery and sale of plastic straws and the purchase of single-use plastic in state institutions.
The initiative now only awaits the approval of the Executive Branch. The Legislative Plenary approved on October 31 in its second debate, file 20.985 Law to combat pollution by plastic to protect the environment, which among other things prohibits the marketing and free delivery of plastic straws for single use throughout the national territory, reported the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly approved in the first debate the bill prohibiting the commercialization of plastic straws throughout the national territory, as well as the purchase of single-use plastic in all state institutions.
In addition, the marketing and free delivery of plastic bags to the final consumer in supermarkets and commercial establishments whose purpose is to carry the goods to their destination is prohibited, explains an official statement.
In El Salvador, the Administrative Litigation Chamber of Santa Tecla ordered the reopening of two of the five restaurants of the Mister Donut chain that had been closed weeks before by the authorities.
In October, authorities from the Ministry of Labor and Health decided to close five branches of the Mister Donut chain, arguing that the company breached labor rights, did not comply with safety standards, and that the remodeling work prevented it from complying with the required hygiene standards.
Alleging that they have received complaints of violations of workers' rights, the government announced that in the coming days they will conduct inspections in security companies and restaurants.