Guatemala Protests Turn Violent as President Alejandro Giammattei Threatens Crackdown Vs. Pro Bernardo Arevalo Protesters

In Guatemala, protesters decry government efforts to stop President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from gaining power. After weeks of peaceful protests, the demonstrations took a violent turn and paralyzed much of the Central American country.

Protesters have installed over 120 roadblocks around the country and disrupted not just transportation but also commerce. Now, riot police are taking down these roadblocks, which have been strategically placed in some of the country's major roadways.

As riot police came to clear these roadblocks, there were reports of some pushback from the protesters, but they were ultimately unable to stop the police from destroying their barricades. However, at one particular roadblock at a major roadway, the protesters outnumbered the police and quickly surrounded them, preventing authorities from clearing the roadblock.

The ensuing scuffles forced President Alejandro Giammattei to threaten protest leaders with arrest. He also claimed that they were "funded and advised by foreigners," according to the Associated Press.

The president, who is deeply unpopular in Guatemala, accused protesters of damaging the economy and causing "vandalism." However, critics say that his comments mean he is supporting his embattled attorney general, Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by the US over corruption. Porras is currently leading the charge in the "investigations" against Arevalo.

"We are requesting the appropriate arrest warrants, so that justice can be applied," said the Guatemala president.

He then claimed that protest leaders "have received support and advice from foreigners," vowing that these foreigners would also be arrested.

"Foreign money has been transferred to Guatemalan NGOs, and these funds have been used to feed and pay for portable toilets, in short all the logistics, for the blockades," he further claimed.

Guatemala Protests Descend Into Looting and Violence

As the protests against Porras and the persecution of Bernardo Arevalo continue to intensify, some of the protesters have turned violent and have been looting several shops around the capital, Guatemala City.

Videos of protesters smashing windows with metal bars have been shown on social media, though other protesters did not join in and continued their peaceful protest.

However, Sky News pointed out that the videos were released by the Attorney General's Office, and AG Consuelo Porras had been the main reason why these protests have been going on in the first place.

The violent protesters were reportedly attacking the National Palace of Culture in Guatemala City.

Violent Protesters May Have Infiltrated the Actual Peaceful Protesters in Guatemala City

The more peaceful protesters who did not join the looting may have been infiltrated. This was confirmed by Napoleon Barrientos Giron, a government official who stated that the violence was used by "groups of infiltrators." Barrientos told BBC that they are now going after these infiltrators.

This news was first reported by local media, which noted that the peaceful protest had been "infiltrated" by about 200 troublemakers. These infiltrators also threatened the more peaceful protesters and members of the press with sticks and clashed with police officers.

READ MORE: Guatemala Elections: Observers Say Political Parties and Justice System Interfered

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Written by: Rick Martin

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