Víctor Martínez Ruiz

Víctor Manuel Alejandro Martínez Ruiz (born January 19, 1982) is a Guatemalan economist and politician who served as the Minister of Public Finance from September 2018 to January 2020.[1][2][3] He currently is the First Councilor of Guatemala City.[4]

Víctor Martínez Ruiz
First Councillor of Guatemala City
Assumed office
15 January 2020
MayorRicardo Quiñónez
Preceded byRicardo Quiñónez
Minister of Finance
In office
14 September 2018 – 14 January 2020
PresidentJimmy Morales
Preceded byJulio Héctor Estrada
Succeeded byAlvaro González Ricci
Deputy Minister of Financial Administration
In office
21 January 2016 – 13 September 2018
PresidentJimmy Morales
Preceded byÉdwin Martínez
Succeeded byKildare Stanley Enríquez
Second Councilor of Guatemala City
In office
15 January 2012 – 15 January 2020
MayorÁlvaro Arzú
Ricardo Quiñónez
Preceded byAlessandra Gallio Abud
Succeeded byAlessandra Gallio Abud
First Syndic of Guatemala City
In office
15 January 2008 – 15 January 2012
MayorÁlvaro Arzú
Preceded byRicardo Quiñónez
Succeeded byLuisa María Salas Bedoya
Personal details
Born
Víctor Manuel Martínez Ruiz

(1982-01-19) January 19, 1982 (age 42)
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Nationality Guatemala
Political partyUnionist Party
Alma materFrancisco Marroquin University
ProfessionBusiness administrator, economist, politician

Early years

edit

He studied Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from the School of Economic Sciences of the Francisco Marroquín University (UFM) is graduated Cum laude.[5]

In 2003 he began his work as financial manager of several private real estate, spare parts and agro-industrial companies.[1]

Career

edit

In 2002 he directed the executive part of the Foundation for Integral Development (FUDI in Spanish). He has served as a professor of political philosophy and general administration in some universities in the country.[5]

Víctor Martínez started working in the Municipality of Guatemala as a Financial consultant in 2006, in the 2011 elections he was elected to the position of second councilor for the 2012-2016 term and won another term from 2016 to 2020. He was head of the directorates of trusts for urban planning, director of the boards of directors of the Municipal Transport Company, Municipal Water Company and the Transport and Transit Regulatory Entity.[1]

Government of Jimmy Morales

edit

In January 2016 he was integrated into Jimmy Morales' cabinet as Deputy Minister of Financial Administration for that he had to request permission in Municipality of Guatemala.[6]

After the resignation of Julio Héctor Estrada, Martínez was appointed as Guatemala's Minister of Finance on September 13, 2018.[7] When he was sworn in, he assured that he would work for the Guatemalan Parliament to approve the State budget for 2019, in addition to forming the General Directorate of Acquisitions and a registry of State suppliers.[5]

During his administration, the problem occurred over the purchase of 2 planes from the Argentine government for the Guatemalan Air Forces, even President Morales had gone to Argentina to meet with President Macri.[8] A problem arose because the purchase was intended to be made through an agreement between the two countries, but opponents of the government assured that this was illegal. Martínez Ruiz pointed out that Guatemala does not have the necessary financial resources for this acquisition, however, President Morales and Minister Ralda insisted. Finally the purchase did not materialize.[9]

edit

On June 14, 2019 the Anti-Impunity Prosecutor's office filed a case against the municipal council, just two days before the elections. The accusation was because supposedly from their position in the city council they tried to campaign in favor of the municipal government party. After leaving his position as minister, he appeared on January 16, 2020, in the court in charge of the case.[10]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c "Víctor Martínez (ministro de Finanzas)" (PDF). Ministry of Finance. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Juramenta a Victor Martínez como nuevo ministro de Finanzas". elPeriódico. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  3. ^ "MP y Cicig piden retiro de inmunidad de alcalde Ricardo Quiñónez y ministro Víctor Martínez". Prensa Libre. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  4. ^ Morales, Isaías (24 Feb 2020). "Juzgado liga a proceso a concejal primero de Tu Muni". ojoconmipisto.com. Retrieved 7 Mar 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Juramentan a Víctor Martínez para dirigir la Cartera de Finanzas Públicas" (in Spanish). 2018-09-14. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  6. ^ "Víctor Martínez regresa como concejal primero a Tu Muni". Ojoconmipisto.com (in Spanish). 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  7. ^ López, Ronald Amilcar Mendoza (2018-09-13). "Juramentan a Victor Martínez como nuevo ministro de Finanzas" (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  8. ^ Magalhães, André (2019-07-03). "Argentina signs IA-63 Pampa III sale agreement with Guatemala –". www.aeroflap.com.br. Retrieved 2023-07-22.
  9. ^ Sputnik (2019-07-11). "Gobierno de Guatemala desiste de comprar aviones argentinos Pampa III". El País CR.
  10. ^ Quiñónez, Edgar. "Exministro de Finanzas Víctor Martínez se presenta en la FECI". República.gt (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-07-22.
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Finance
2018–2020
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Mayor of Guatemala City
2020–present
Incumbent