Alckmin attends the inauguration of the President of Guatemala VPR/Disclosure
The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, is in Guatemala to attend the inauguration of that country's elected president, Bernardo Arévalo. This Sunday (14), the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, released a joint statement in support of the elected President and also his Vice President Karin Herrera, who brings Brazil as a signatory.
Alckmin traveled to Guatemala City at the request of President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva. He will represent Brazil at the inauguration of Arévolo, which has not yet taken place due to a delay in the Central American country's congressional process.
“I have just participated, together with presidents, foreign ministers, representatives of Latin American and European countries and the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, in an event in support of the inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo as President of Guatemala, after having held a… a fair, free one and transparent election monitored by international observers and reflecting the free will of the Guatemalan people,” Alckmin said.
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“Democracy has proven its strength in Guatemala, and respect for the election results benefits our entire region,” he added.
Social Democrat Bernardo Arévalo was elected in the second round with 58% of the vote, compared to 37% for former first lady Sandra Torres, who did not acknowledge her defeat. After confirming the result, he said he received a call from the current president, the rightwing Alejandro Giammattei, who congratulated him on the result.
Bernardo Arévalo has not yet taken office due to a delay in Congress Esteban Biba/EFE
In his first speech after his victory, Arévalo reiterated the fight against corruption “to regain trust in the state and in democracy.” “The people of Guatemala have spoken forcefully, they are fed up with so much corruption,” he said at the time .
Read the full joint statement in support of Guatemala's new president:
“Declaration of support for President Bernardo Arévalo and democracy in Guatemala
We have gathered in Guatemala City for the presidential inauguration and call on the Congress of the Republic to fulfill its constitutional mandate and hand over power today to Presidentelect Bernardo Arévalo and his Vice President Karin Herrera, as required by the Constitution.
The Guatemalan people expressed their democratic will in fair, free and transparent elections, which were assessed by the international community through election observation institutions. This will must be respected.
On behalf of all invited delegations, represented at the level of Heads of State or Government, Vice Presidents, Chancellors, senior officials, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, the High Representative of the European Union and the IberoAmerican Secretary General.
Guatemala City, January 14, 2024”