Controversial Indictment: Guatemalan President-elect Faces Prosecution

Guatemalan Prosecution Controversially Pursues Indictment Against President-elect and Vice President-elect

The Guatemalan prosecution is facing criticism as they push forward with plans to indict the president-elect, Bernardo Arevalo, and vice president-elect. The move is seen as an attempt to prevent Arevalo’s inauguration in January.

Indictment Linked to 2022 Protest

The indictment is related to damages caused during a protest at a public university in 2022. The prosecution alleges that Arevalo’s social media posts incited students to occupy university buildings. Arevalo, however, celebrated the protest by students opposing a corrupt university president and accused the Seed Movement party of planning their 2023 presidential campaign using the campus buildings.

Prosecution Seeks Legal Action

The prosecution claims to have evidence supporting the conclusion that Arevalo and his allies have committed crimes. They plan to request the Supreme Court to strip Arevalo, vice president-elect Karin Herrera, and other key allies of their immunity, enabling prosecution.

President-elect Warns of Modern-Day Coup

In an interview with NPR, Arevalo expressed concerns about the possibility of a modern-day coup taking place in Guatemala. He referred to this coup as “lophere,” which he believes can be carried out through legal means. Arevalo condemned the actions of the prosecution as fake and unacceptable, emphasizing the need to halt political persecution.

Attempt to Weaken President-elect

The recent announcement by the prosecution is the latest in a series of attempts to weaken President-elect Arevalo, who surprised the nation with an unexpected victory in the August presidential election. The ruling elites employed legal loopholes to exclude most opposition candidates from the ballot, resulting in low voter turnout and Arevalo’s defeat.

International Criticism and Legal Concerns

The United States has criticized the attempts to undermine the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala and condemned the repression against President-elect Arevalo. Guatemalan constitutional scholar Edgar Ortiz argues that the attorney general and some judges have acted beyond their legal boundaries in an effort to prevent Arevalo and Herrera’s January inauguration.

Uncertain Future and Important Supreme Court Decision

The future of Guatemala’s political landscape remains uncertain as the situation continues to unfold. Arevalo’s supporters view the indictment as a politically motivated attack, while critics argue that legal action is necessary to hold him accountable. The Supreme Court’s decision on stripping immunity will be a crucial moment in determining the path forward for Arevalo and the nation.

Source: NPR