One thing admired by many about the United States is the rule of law. It's a principle ingrained in the culture that those who break the law pay for it. It's so strong that Nixon only escaped impeachment by resigning. And remember: in the 21st century, Illinois sent two governors to jail.
This is why the argument to defend former president Trump from prosecution—that it would turn this country into a banana republic—is ludicrous. I know about it because in Guatemala, my native country, still called a banana republic, we decided to adopt the rule of law. In the last 10 years Guatemala moved a president from office to prison, and a former one was tried and convicted. We may still be a banana republic, but at least we worked to ditch that reputation. We're not alone. Chile brought a former dictator to justice; Perú and Honduras arrested and tried corrupt leaders.
That's why nothing should prevent President Trump's arrest. This country will not become a failed democracy if that happens. Quite the opposite. We've seen it in other countries: Bolivian president Evo Morales resigned when his corruption was discovered, and England just ousted Boris Johnson.
These acts didn't turn these countries into banana republics. Instead, they made them stronger. That's why refusing to prosecute a man responsible for an insurrection (among other things) shows that the United States is a banana republic already.
I am Francisco Solares-Larrave and this is my perspective.
