Development: On 16 August a group of local lawyers presented an appeal before Guatemala’s constitutional court (CC) against the 13 August decision by the 158-member unicameral legislature not to lift the immunity of President Otto Pérez Molina so that he could be investigated in relation to two major corruption scandals. Significance: The lawyers argue that the vote to lift Pérez Molina’s immunity required approval by a qualified majority of 105 votes (the motion was rejected after just 88 deputies voted in favour). The complaint is also in line with public sentiment, with protesters once again taking to the streets on…

Development: Following the 14 August flag raising ceremony at the newly restored US embassy in Cuba, a new steering committee of US and Cuban officials will begin work in September with a mandate to discuss human rights and other sensitive matters, as the two countries work towards the normalisation of bilateral relations. Significance: The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, was clear in his speech in Havana that the US wants to see the evolution of Cuban policies on human rights, fundamental freedoms and political liberties. He called for “genuine democracy” on the island, in remarks reproduced on Cuban State…