Bernardo Arévalo may be celebrated as the new president by voters in Guatemala. But he faces a major challenge: the so-called Pact of the Corrupt has declared war on him – the network is feared.
The Supreme Electoral Court made a few days ago contradictory decisions. First, Bernardo Arévalo was officially confirmed as the winner of the runoff. Almost simultaneously, however, his Movimiento Semilla party was temporarily suspended.
“This means that she is no longer able to work,” criticizes a political scientist from Guatemala who wants to remain anonymous. “The suspension of the Movimiento Semilla is part of the attacks on democratic actors, human rights activists and journalists,” he says. It remains a constant, even shortly after the elections. “The motive for suspending the party is the legal elimination of Semilla.”
Many have already experienced reprisals
Arévalo’s party was formed around five years ago during the anti-corruption protests at the time. The political scientist believes that Semilla’s suspension is illegal and unconstitutional. No party may be excluded during the election period. He himself fears reprisals for his criticism of the current ruling elite – the so-called Pact of the Corrupt.
It is an influential network of military, politicians, entrepreneurs and organized crime that holds real power in the country. The scientist therefore does not want to be named. Inconvenient judges, public prosecutors and journalists have been forced to leave the country in recent years. The political scientist wants to stay.
Few allies in Congress
A few days ago, the Supreme Court’s register of citizens temporarily suspended the legal status of the Arévalos party due to alleged irregularities in its founding. The decision is based on a motion by Prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche and the decision of Judge Fredy Orellano. Both are on the US list of corrupt and anti-democratic figures.
Guatemala’s new president is supposed to take office in mid-January. But if Semilla’s suspension were upheld, his MPs would not be able to form a parliamentary group or head committees. The new president would be a toothless tiger.
“The judiciary is currently occupied by the mafia,” says the political scientist. There is absolute impunity. “And if there are no alliances in Congress to join the fight against corruption, then this fight is being fought on a very theoretical level and would have little scope.” Arévalo will hardly find allies in Congress. The opposition is great. Most recently, Arévalo’s team had even reported serious assassination plans against him.
Neighboring countries are worried
In light of this fact, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) expressed its deep concern. The separation of powers is essential for the exercise of democracy, appealed the Chilean Ambassador Sebastián Kraljevich in a statement by the OAS. It is unacceptable that the legal system should be used as a tool to intimidate and illegally suspend civil and political rights. The Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, is planning a trip to the Central American country next week to accompany the start of the transition process.
At the end of the session, the Ambassador of Honduras, who was leading the session, stressed: “Not only have we found consensus on the declaration, but there is also agreement that the transition must take place democratically, in peace and with respect for the will of the Guatemalan people we wish the Guatemalan people.”