Guatemala's new president creates anti-graft commission

FILE PHOTO: Alejandro Giammattei takes the oath of office during his swearing-in ceremony as Guatemala's President in Guatemala City, Guatemala January 14, 2020. REUTERS/Luis Echeverria

GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Guatemala's new president, Alejandro Giammattei, on Tuesday launched an anti-graft commission, after former leader Jimmy Morales chased out a U.N.-backed anti-corruption body investigating him and his family.

Giammattei, 63, who took office earlier this month, promised to take a hard line on rampant crime and corruption. He created the anti-graft commission tied to the president's office instead of reversing his predecessor's decision to expunge the U.N. body, known as CICIG. Giammattei had indicated he viewed CICIG as an unacceptable violation on Guatemala's sovereignty.