The suspension has been ordered of a $133 million disbursement for the purchase of six Super Tucano airplanes which were to be used to control of the country's airspace.
From a press release published in Diario de Centro América:
"We have doubts about whether the six Super Tucanos are overvalued. There were negotiated by the last government," indicated President Otto Perez Molina, referring to the suspension of the disbursement for $133 million for the acquisition of these light attack aircraft, to be used for airspace control.
Embraer announced the sale to the Central American country of 6 Super Tucano fighter planes, plus 3 primary radars and a command control system, at an estimated cost of more than $170 million.
Although the Brazilian company did not disclose the amount paid by Guatemala, estimates made at the beginning of purchase negotiations last summer point to a minimum of $170 million as the amount of the contract, which includes logistical operational support and training for pilots and mechanics.
Representatives from chambers of commerce and from the Monetary Board have rejected contracts for 2 loans for $166 million for the purchase of aircraft.
Applications for loans of $133 million to the National Bank of Economic and Social Development of Brazil (BNDES) for the purchase of 6 Embraer aircraft and $33 million for the purchase of radars with Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) of Spain are intended to finance a project submitted by the Ministry of Defense.