UN: Democracy 'Remains in Danger' in Guatemala

Facts

• UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk has warned that democracy 'remains in danger' in Guatemala, despite election winner Pres. Bernardo Arévalo taking office in January.¹
• He further expressed concerns over polarization between state institutions, the misuse of criminal law to persecute human rights defenders, high levels of corruption, racism, and gender inequality in the country.²
• Türk's comments come after he concluded an official visit to Guatemala in which he sought to support the Central American country in its efforts 'to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, to fight against corruption and establish a clear and transformative human rights agenda.'³
• Arévalo has blamed opposition in Congress and Attorney General Consuelo Porras, while his administration has yet to implement his election promises.⁴
• In May, the president presented a reform bill to allow the lawful removal of the sitting attorney general without a criminal conviction. The legislation has stalled as Congress went into recess until Aug. 1.⁵

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²UN News, ³Ohchr, ⁴Associated Press and ⁵Elfaro.

Narratives

• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Freedom House. Bernardo Arévalo's election victory was just the first step in restoring faith in government in Guatemala, as corrupt elites that have long ruled the country were finally pushed out of the presidency. There's still a long way to go before democratic erosion can be interrupted, but Arévalo and his administration have a clear mandate to do whatever it takes to achieve that.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Impunity Observer. Democracy is indeed at risk in Guatemala. However, it's the US State Department and the UN-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala that have unlawfully supported undemocratic forces to promote their own globalist agenda in the country — and across Latin America — under the guise of fighting corruption.

Predictions