# Guatemala Central Bank Chief Returns to Congress

> Guatemala's central bank chief returns to Congress after court blocks his appointment.
- Title: Guatemala Central Bank Chief Returns to Congress | Shortify
- Summary: Guatemala's central bank chief returns to Congress after court blocks his appointment. Guatemala's former finance minister Jonathan Menkos will return to…
- Keywords: guatemala, congress, central bank, jonathan menkos, luis contreras, constitutional court, amparo, guatemala central bank, monetary board, josé alfredo blanco valdés, president bernardo arévalo, news
- Source: The Rio Times — https://riotimesonline.com/guatemala-central-bank-pick-rejoins-congress-2026
- Author: Contributing Reporter
- Published: 2026-10-12T21:42:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: guatemala, congress, central bank, jonathan menkos, luis contreras, constitutional court, amparo, guatemala central bank, monetary board, josé alfredo blanco valdés, president bernardo arévalo, news
## Guatemala Central Bank Chief Returns to Congress
Guatemala's Congress president Luis Contreras confirmed Jonathan Menkos will retake his seat as a lawmaker on Monday, 12 October.

> Jonathan Menkos will retake his seat as a lawmaker
## Court Blocks Central Bank Appointment
The Constitutional Court provisionally suspended Menkos as head of the Guatemala central bank on 8 October because he had not resigned his congressional seat.

> The Constitutional Court provisionally suspended Menkos as head of the Guatemala central bank
## Acting Central Bank President
José Alfredo Blanco Valdés, vice president of the Guatemala central bank, has been acting president since 8 October and says operations are normal.

> José Alfredo Blanco Valdés has been acting president since 8 October
## Why the Court Blocked Menkos
The court found Menkos kept his seat while running the bank, violating the bank’s organic law that bars elected officials from the post without resigning.

> The court found Menkos kept his seat while running the bank
## President's Next Steps
President Bernardo Arévalo has not said whether he will name Menkos again after he resigns his seat or choose someone else.

> President Bernardo Arévalo has not said whether he will name Menkos again
## Criminal Complaints Filed
The Public Ministry confirmed receiving three criminal complaints over Menkos's eight days at the bank, including one for alleged abuse of authority.

> The Public Ministry confirmed receiving three criminal complaints
## US Embassy Warns Against Politicizing Bank
The US Embassy warned on 8 October against politicizing the Guatemala central bank, which affects remittances from US migrants.

> The US Embassy warned on 8 October against politicizing the Guatemala central bank
## What Happens Next
The Constitutional Court will issue a final ruling on whether Menkos can serve as central bank chief after he resigns his seat.

> The Constitutional Court will issue a final ruling
## Key takeaway

Guatemala's former finance minister Jonathan Menkos will return to Congress after the Constitutional Court provisionally suspended his central bank role due to not resigning his seat.