Alberto Pimentel Mata, Guatemala’s Minister of Energy and mining from 2020 to 2023, allegedly engaged in numerous corruption schemes and accepted large bribes on a monthly basis during his tenure. According to US officials, Pimentel demanded bribes from mining industry groups in exchange for necessary licenses and permits. In one instance, he allegedly accepted a large sum to expedite consultation processes for mining in Izabal for the benefit of private entities. Investigators said he further misused his office by allowing a private company to “write the terms of reference” for a government contract that would favour the company as a prospective bidder. In another case, he accepted bribes from a local company “with no experience in the project activities” in exchange for granting them a contract. He did this despite receiving a more affordable bid from a more experienced company for the same contract. Furthermore, for those who would not pay, Pimentel engaged in retaliatory practices that would make it more difficult for them to operate in Guatemala’s mining and energy sector.