The president of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, finished this Friday in Madrid his first international tour since he was inaugurated in mid-January and has emphasized his interest in reestablishing democratic norms in the Central American country.
“We are in a transition stage, to the extent that we are once again seeking democracy and peace, and fleeing from the authoritarian configuration,” he stressed.
During his visit to Spain, he met with King Felipe VI and the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, who have given their support to the new Government and the restoration of the rule of law.
Arévalo has pointed out that in just five weeks at the head of the Guatemalan Executive, he has already promoted measures against corruption in state institutions, beginning with the dismissal of hundreds of workers allegedly involved.
“The work is going to be gradual and progressive because, although corruption corrodes all levels of the State, it does not mean that all officials are,” he assured at an event organized by Casa de América and the Efe agency.
Before landing in Spain, Arévalo met in Brussels with the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, with whom he signed a memorandum of understanding in order to “reinforce” EU relations with Guatemala.
In addition, he was in Germany - at the Munich Security Conference -, in France and in Switzerland, where he met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, to whom he reiterated his "commitment to the promotion of equality, freedom and respect for the dignity” of Guatemalan citizens.
During this Friday's event, the social democratic president referred to the Guatemalan attorney general, Consuelo Porras, who is considered one of the main people responsible for trying to frustrate the democratic transition.
“The role of the prosecutor has become clear nationally and internationally: she is a banned person, who has already been sanctioned by the US and the EU.
“She was an instrument of the elites to lead the attempt to subvert the electoral order,” she condemned.
Porras was sanctioned by the EU Council for “undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power” in Guatemala, after delaying Arévalo's rise to power for hours.
With this tour, the president sought to relaunch Guatemala to the world, promising legal security to investors and highlighting his efforts to improve security that has been harmed by criminal networks and gangs.
In a meeting with Spanish businessmen, Arévalo said that during his government he will promote economic relations between both countries to increase productivity and investments.
“It is through employment and taxes generated by developed economic activity that we will be able to achieve our commitment to the honesty and competence that have been greatly lacking in the political history of our country.”
A day before, King Felipe VI highlighted in a meeting with the Central American leader "the determination of a people in defense of its sovereign will" and conveyed Spain's support in "this new stage to build a homeland" for the Guatemalan people.
Meanwhile, La Moncloa highlighted “the excellent state of bilateral relations between both countries” and the desire to “continue to deepen them.”
Although one of the core of the Arévalo Administration is to improve security in the country, the president has taken the opportunity to distance himself from the ideals of his neighbor and Salvadoran counterpart, Nayib Bukele.
“We have applied a response to the gangs with full respect for human rights,” he answered a question from the press about whether he would address the problem of violence with an approach similar to that of El Salvador.
“The gang phenomenon is common throughout Central America, but the response is different in each country.”
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