By: Staff Writer
December 8, 2023
The Organisation of American States (OAS) condemns the outgoing authorities in the outgoing Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and their using their office to thwart the election victory of incoming President, Bernardo Arevalo.
The OAS, in a recent statement, didn’t mince words: “Authorities in Guatemala continue to escalate this crisis by taking actions of their own choice, often in defiance of the will of the Guatemalan people as well as in defiance of this body’s declarations and resolutions. It has decided to raise the stakes for the entire region. Utter contempt for the will of the Guatemalan people has clearly been demonstrated.
“We have seen this movie before: history is replete with examples of countries charting a similar course, and the path forward is treacherous. If we – we, the Permanent Council, this body – fail to stand up and raise our voices for democracy in Guatemala now, the impact will extend beyond just Guatemala. I have said often on the sessions we have had on this tough issue that this is a test, a test for this organization. This represents a moment to defend democracy Mr. Chair. If we don’t do this together, we will fail together.
“In contrast to the authorities in Guatemala, the OAS, of which Guatemala is a member, has consistently demonstrated its commitment to a peaceful electoral transition, democracy, and the rule of law in Guatemala again and again.”
Meanwhile, Arevalo led a peaceful demonstration in Guatemala City on Thursday against those who, he said, are trying to prevent him from taking office next January 14
“Today we are here to demand no more corruption, we want to move towards dignified development and a just homeland,” Arévalo said at the entrance to the Supreme Court of Justice, before thousands of protesters and supporters.
The 64-year-old president-elect thanked the Indigenous authorities for leading the defense of the electoral results and “opening a gap for the struggle for democracy.”
The march began at the headquarters of the Supreme Court of Justice and proceeded to the Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court.
Later, it is set to end at the Public Ministry, whose officials are accused of trying to overturn the results of the June 20 and Aug. 25 elections.
Arévalo, the first president to participate in a public march in Guatemala this century, walked more than three kilometers through the main streets of the Guatemalan capital’s historic center.