Overview

Alvaro Colom Caballeros was the President of Guatemala from 2008 to 2012; best known internationally for issuing a formal apology in 2010 on behalf of Guatemala after historian Susan Reverby discovered that U.S. Public Health Service researchers had deliberately infected hundreds of Guatemalan citizens with syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases between 1946 and 1948; without their knowledge or consent. The victims included prisoners; sex workers; soldiers; and patients in a mental asylum; who were exposed to syphilis through direct inoculation; infected prostitutes; and other means. At least 83 subjects died during the experiments. Colom called the experiments "crimes against humanity" and his government filed a lawsuit against the United States seeking compensation; though U.S. courts ultimately dismissed the case on sovereign immunity grounds. As president; Colom positioned himself as a center-left reformer; implementing social programs like conditional cash transfers to impoverished families (Mi Familia Progresa) and free school meals. However; his presidency was marred by corruption scandals; and in 2018 he was arrested along with his entire former cabinet on charges of embezzlement related to a public bus system contract (Transurbano) that allegedly defrauded the state of approximately $35 million. He died in January 2023 while awaiting trial.

Key Affiliations

Controversies & Concerns

Related Investigations (1)

Known Associates & Connections

Sources & Documentation

1 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports