The “crown” on the ground – Guatemala: the hard fight for change

Alex Garcia Aguilar stands firm in front of a simple plank. Behind him are tortillas, rice and flour. For the photo he clenches his left fist as a sign of defiance; his cap and T-shirt feature self-designed logos in rainbow colors that represent diversity. In a simple pavilion tent, the political science student, together with fellow students, fellow activists and volunteers of all ages, prepared food for the demonstrators who had already settled at the foot of the Public Prosecution Service in early October. This is where the resistance base camp is located. An apparent battle against windmills, but one that is waged courageously and decisively.

Fight against corruption
On August 20, Bernardo Arévalo and his party Semilla (“Seed”) won the second round of the presidential elections in Guatemala. He received a whopping 61 percent of the vote – more than for anyone since the turn of the millennium. At the top of his election manifesto were decisive measures against the prevailing system of corruption that has become widespread in Guatemala over the years. Attorney General Consuelo Porras and Rafael Curruchiche, head of a special prosecutor’s office against impunity, raided the Supreme Court in late September and seized boxes of election documents.

For months, the high political elite around President Alejandro Giammattei, who is still in office, has been campaigning against Arévalo’s inauguration and does not miss a single maneuver to prevent change in the shattered Latin American state. Just a few days ago, the Public Prosecution Service submitted an investigation report to the Supreme Court on alleged irregularities in the August elections. There had previously been talk of annulling the entire electoral process, but the Supreme Electoral Court emphasized the validity of the elections and the fact that Arévalo would take office on January 14 as planned. The 65-year-old himself spoke of a “ridiculous and perverse attempted coup.” Popular anger is simmering more and more.

Protest pioneers
To combat reprisals and corruption, various, often indigenous, population groups came together to draw attention to themselves and their fundamental rights. In the constantly occupied protest camp, people take turns every 24 hours, but sometimes they have to accept terrible travel times.

For example, Ana Mariela Lopez Gallego belongs to the Ixil people. Their area is about 300 kilometers from Guatemala City and they make a six-hour bus journey each time to campaign for Arévalo and a fair future. “We were the first to call for protest and other indigenous ethnic groups followed us,” she says proudly. The Ixil have become highly politicized and strengthened their culture of protest during Guatemala’s 36-year civil war. In one of the numerous genocides in the early 1980s, approximately one-sixth of the Ixil population died.

When we enter the camp everything is quiet. Posters and banners are rolled out and coffee is distributed. Sometimes after the silence comes a storm. “Before every trip to the capital, we clarify the safety issue. How do we protect ourselves against tear gas and the intervening police forces? We bring food and drinks, but also speaker systems and microphones so that we can express ourselves.” The demonstration camp is led daily by different indigenous ethnic groups, but everyone can speak and express their dissatisfaction according to the “open mic principle” – As long as everything without swear words and in a stylish setting. There are a total of 48 cantons in Guatemala. “We first sing the national anthem together and then get energy for the day with a Mayan ceremony,” says Gallego. “The joint protest brings together the various indigenous ethnic groups among us closer together. He unites us.”

Finer sensors
Resistance against the ruling elite is stronger in the community. The protesters are demanding the resignation of four corrupt key figures, and so far there has been no satisfactory response from the state. What is striking is that a particularly large number of women in the camp are on the demo front. “Among the indigenous people, men and women complement each other,” Gallego explains to us, “women have more and more power and it is not a contradiction to lead the protests. We women feel the injustice against us, indigenous peoples, more clearly. We care above all about our children and have finer sensors for all aspects in which the government has failed.” What is important to them is peaceful protest. “There have been few clashes so far, but we never use force.” According to Gallego, the corrupt wing of the police often sends moles among the protesters to incite each other. “But we won’t let that deter us.”

Arévalo stands for change and departure. He is committed to social reforms. Guatemala is not only fighting rampant corruption, but also emigration and poverty. The Austrian Epiphany Campaign supports in partnership many organizations in the country that want to improve living conditions and create a certain stability in the country. This also includes education and developing political awareness. In Guatemala City, demonstrations march through the streets at irregular intervals. When the “Krone” arrived, President Arévalo was also in the middle of the crowd. Guatemalan flags were waved, peace slogans were raised and incumbents, seen as corrupt, were lampooned with devilish puppets. The protest was peaceful and the police also did everything they could to prevent escalations.

Visa restrictions in effect
If Arévalo were to fail to become president, all of Central America would be shocked. Democratic structures there have expanded over the years, and a prevented inauguration would be detrimental to the continent. The US government, but also the EU, are already exerting enormous pressure internationally. The EU Parliament recently even proposed suspending the economic part of the EU’s free trade agreement with Guatemala. The United States, whose stance has been shaky during Guatemala’s 36-year civil war, has also issued warnings and imposed visa restrictions on nearly 300 Guatemalan nationals. This includes 108 of the total 160 MPs. Attorney General Porras is among those on the so-called Angel List of corrupt and undemocratic actors in the U.S. government. The United Nations is also becoming increasingly clear.

As Guatemala’s future remains uncertain, Alex Aguilar continues to tirelessly support protesters with food and conversations. Food and monetary donations are important, as the volunteers distribute approximately 150 meals at lunchtime. “Everyone can help and is welcome. We also give food to the migrants and the homeless.” Aguilar hopes for change, but knows very well that a presidential term in Guatemala lasts only four years and direct re-election is impossible. “The state is corrupt and rotten from within. Impunity became an issue and demands for change went in one ear and out the other. But Arévalo would be important to take the first steps. To plant the seeds for change. You could build on that.”

moments of fear
The elected socialist’s popularity is partly based on Guatemala’s demographics. The average age in the Central American country was around 22.4 years in 2022, in Austria around 43.2 years. The boys feel abandoned and finally want change. “We guys are the main reason Arévalo was chosen. Thanks to the internet and social media channels, we are better connected and informed. It is much easier today to observe world events from multiple perspectives.” Aguilar stands out for his activism and his openly shown proximity to diversity and homosexuality. “There are moments of fear and frustration, but you have to persevere or nothing will ever change.” On January 14, Arévalo would be legally enthroned as president. Any deviation from this would only plunge the country deeper into crisis.

The trip to Guatemala was supported by the Epiphany campaign. 500 projects with star singers in Africa, Asia and Latin America are helping people in need whose poverty has drastically worsened due to the climate crisis. This support can be made at any time by donating to the Epiphany Campaign donation account (IBAN: AT23 6000 0000 9300 0330) or online at sternsingen.at/spende.