Finance Ministry expects Guatecompras dispute to be settled in court

Guatemala’s Finance Ministry is defending recent changes to Guatecompras, the state procurement portal, and expects the dispute to be resolved by a court.

Deputy Minister of Fiscal Transparency Carlos Melgar reiterated the ministry’s position during a hearing requested by the Voluntad, Oportunidad y Solidaridad (VOS) parliamentary bloc. He said legal actions had already been brought, although it was not clarified whether the ministry initiated them or whether they challenge the ministry’s decision.

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What happened here was a change in a function that searches for a supplier

Melgar said the change affected a search function for suppliers. Guatecompras will now display contractors, while personal details of people unrelated to public contracting will no longer be available. He argued that the portal remains an information system for state contracting and procurement, as established by Guatemala’s Public Procurement Law.

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The only thing that generated all this noise and significant public discussion is that the personal data of 8 million people registered with the SAT should not have to be available

The ministry has also added functions intended to help users connect contractors, unsuccessful bidders and legal representatives. Melgar said the changes narrow searches to the relevant procurement ecosystem while preserving the system’s purpose.

The decision prompted questions about Guatecompras’ role in oversight and in mapping possible links between contractors and other individuals. Melgar said the personal information of 8 million people registered with the Tax Administration’s taxpayer registry should not be publicly available when they have not done business with the state. He acknowledged the press’s position and said a tribunal would determine which side was correct.

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We respect the press’s position. Now that there is a legal action underway, a tribunal will decide which of the two sides is right