Thousands of people in Guatemala have taken to the streets to peacefully protest the persecution of the progressive Semilla Party and electoral authorities by the Attorney General and the current government of Alejandro Giammattei. The country is facing a critical moment, as Guatemalans, faced with a subversion of the popular will, are mobilizing to defend their civil, political, and human rights.
The Democratic Mandate
On August 28, 2023, Bernardo Arevalo was elected President of Guatemala with 58 percent of the vote. While Arevalo is scheduled to assume office in January 2024, Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, and the Public Prosecutor's Office have levelled unsubstantiated accusations of electoral fraud and irregularities against Arévalo and the Semilla Party and have ordered raids on electoral offices and the seizure of ballots.
Demand for Justice
Photo Credit: CCDA Guatemala
Guatemalan civil society is demanding the resignation of the Attorney General and members of the Public Prosecutor's Office leading the politically targeted criminal proceedings. The government and Constitutional Courts have cracked down on the right to peaceful protest and maintain the threat of force against demonstrators.
Right to Peaceful Protest
Nationwide protests are being led by Indigenous Peoples, student activists, human rights defenders, and workers outraged by the Guatemalan Supreme Court's decision to suspend the Semilla Party over unproven allegations of electoral fraud.
CoDev in Solidarity with Guatemalans
CoDev stands in solidarity with people in Guatemala, striving to exercise their inalienable right to peaceful assembly and freedom from reprisal and political violence.
Take Action
Join us in supporting Amnesty International's campaign for Guatemala. Please write to the current president, Alejandro Giammattei, and call on him and his government to respect and guarantee demonstrators' right to peaceful assembly and to refrain from using criminal law and excessive force against those protesting.
USE THE HASHTAGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
#GuatemalaDecide #FueraGolpistas #NoMasCorrupcion
DO YOU KNOW?
CoDev has five partner organizations working for social justice in Guatemala:
Learn about these courageous organizations and read about CoDev's recent visit to Guatemala by clicking here.