Congressman Exposes Millions in Guatemalan Social Security Waste

Guatemala Congressman Exposes IGSS Spending Irregularities Guatemala City – Congressman Cristian Álvarez GT has publicly accused the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) of significant spending irregularities. Álvarez alleges that a lack of oversight in smaller purchases, those under 25,000 quetzales, is leading to inflated costs for taxpayers. In a recent video, Álvarez presented evidence of what he says are examples of this, showing discrepancies between the actual cost of materials and labor and the amount billed to the IGSS. "They're spending 25,000 quetzales on things that cost a fraction of that," Álvarez stated in his video, pointing to a small concrete slab as an example. "This is unacceptable and needs immediate attention." Álvarez's video shows several instances of what he considers to be overpriced projects. He directly contrasts the quoted prices with what he claims are the actual costs, showing visual evidence of the work performed. The video has sparked public debate about the need for greater transparency and accountability within the IGSS. The IGSS has yet to respond to Álvarez's accusations. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about public funds management in Guatemala and the importance of government oversight.