Guatemala: Anger Looms as Congress Delays Inauguration of President-Elect Bernardo Arevalo

People in Guatemala are not very happy with the government right now as it has delayed the inauguration of President-elect Bernardo Arevalo.

Other countries were not amused as well, as the efforts of the governing elites in Guatemala have repeatedly hampered Arevalo from taking office, thus suppressing the will of the people and democracy in the country.

According to the Associated Press, the current Guatemalan Congress, which is largely made up of the "old guard" of Guatemalan politicians, "dawdled and delayed the inauguration," thus sparking protests in the country once again.

The president-elect was reportedly waiting to be sworn into office on Sunday when Congress delayed the inauguration. This delay came as the Guatemalan people became tired of months-long attempts to keep him from taking office.

Bernardo Arevalo supporters gathered for a festive inauguration celebration in Guatemala City's emblematic Plaza de la Constitucion. However, they had been waiting there for hours and soon became fed up by the constant delays. This led to them marching to where the country's Congress was meeting and scuffled with police as they demanded legislators stop delaying.

Lines of riot police clashed with protesters and swept them out before they managed to gather outside the building. Congress was supposed to attend the inauguration, but legislators were debating who should be part of the congressional delegation, thus causing the delay.

International Community Tells Guatemala To Inaugurate Bernardo Arevalo

It was not just the people of Guatemala who were losing patience with the government, but also other countries that sent delegations to Guatemala City for the inauguration. These include the United States, the EU, and other members of the Organization of American States (OAS) like Honduras.

Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina was among the first to speak up, calling for Arevalo's inauguration on social media, saying, "The Guatemalan people expressed their democratic will in fair, free, and transparent elections, endorsed by the international community through its electoral observation missions. That will must be respected."

Meanwhile, the US has stated that it has now officially recognized Bernardo Arevalo as the true president of Guatemala. However, US Aid Chief Samantha Power called on all sides to remain calm as unrest continues to brew.

As for Arevalo himself, a spokesperson for his Semilla Party told Reuters that he remains at a hotel in Guatemala City, awaiting to be officially inaugurated.

Guatemala Constitutional Court Ruled That Bernardo Arevalo Must Be Inaugurated by Sunday

Guatemala is facing uncertainty with these latest delays as many politicians of the "old guard" seem to be afraid of an anti-corruption crusader like Arevalo taking power after vowing to go after them.

However, from the rule of law, Bernardo Arevalo must be sworn in, and there is little that the current politicians can do anything about it as the highest court in the land, the Guatemala Constitutional Court, has previously ordered that he must be sworn in on Sunday, according to El Pais.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: What is stopping Guatemala's president-elect from taking office? | DW News