Indigenous authorities and social organizations called for a peaceful protest at 8 a.m. local time as the nation finds itself at a historic crossroads and is under threat, they said in a statement.
In the face of attacks that threaten the course of our democratic history, it is important to remain united and represent the values that shape us as a people, the indigenous Maya communities emphasized in the text.
“This mobilization will be a reaffirmation of our identity and strength as the Guatemalan people, because despite the adversities and challenges, we remain united and firm in our fight for a fairer and freer future,” they emphasized.
The nation’s elected president, Bernardo Arévalo, joined the call, declaring in a message on his profile on the social network X that “the time has come to unite.”
“The usual corrupt people hurt the most delicate fibers of society,” he claimed, adding that they deny freedom of choice and the right to live in a fair and prosperous country.
We are living a moment that requires clarity and determination on our part, noted the current MP, “without room for lukewarmness, for complicit silence or for ambiguity,” noted the standard-bearer of the Semilla party.
The day before, former presidential candidate Edmont Mulet asked to join the March for Democracy, which meets in front of the Supreme Court, then goes through the Constitutional Court and ends in Parliament.
“We are facing a harmful plan by those who do not accept defeat,” said the leader of the Cabal faction in his profile on the social network X.
He asked for support from the mayors and representatives elected for their strength, but also invited others: youth, women, students, professionals, rural and urban people, business people and workers.
Hundreds of indigenous people took to the streets of this capital last Monday, protesting against Guatemala’s 2024 budget approved by lawmakers and the decision to lift the immunity of four judges of the Supreme Electoral Court.
The indigenous peoples have been peacefully resisting in front of the MP headquarters for 64 consecutive days, demanding the resignation of the Attorney General Consuelo Porras and other of his officials.
Analysts warn that the continued maneuvers of this investigative unit represent the spearhead of the corruption pact aimed at preventing the inauguration of elected authorities on January 14, 2024.
jf/znc