Title: Political Crisis in Guatemala: Right-Wing Attacks on Popular Vote and Institutions
Subtitle: Extremist right-wing maneuvers to prevent the center-left Movimiento Semilla from participating in the second round of elections have sparked a conflict between state institutions.
Date: [Insert Date]
Byline: [Insert Author Name]
In a bid to undermine the popular vote in favor of the Movimiento Semilla, right-wing parties that were defeated in the first round of elections on June 25 sought to annul the results by demanding the review of certain irregular ballot papers before the Constitutional Court (CC) and the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). The Supreme Electoral Tribunal agreed to the request, but the recount did not yield significant changes in the results, reaffirming that the Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE) and Semilla would proceed to the second round on August 20.
Failing in their initial maneuver, the right-wing resorted to a new tactic. On July 12, the Special Prosecutor Against Impunity (FECI) of the Public Ministry (MP) ordered the suspension of Movimiento Semilla’s legal status, citing alleged forgery of signatures and illegal affiliations during the party’s registration process, as well as potential money laundering. The head of FECI, Rafael Curruchiche, requested the Seventh Instance Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Fredy Orellana, to execute the suspension. Meanwhile, just minutes after FECI issued the order against Semilla, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal officially confirmed the results of the first round, confirming that Sandra Torres of UNE and Bernardo Arévalo of Semilla would compete for the presidency on August 20.
This action by the MP is doubly illegal, as according to the Electoral and Political Parties Law, no party can be suspended once the electoral process has begun. Furthermore, the court led by Orellana lacks the jurisdiction to suspend a political party, as this matter falls exclusively under the purview of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Thus, Curruchiche and Orellana’s order violated the constitutional provisions.
Bernardo Arévalo, presidential candidate and secretary-general of Movimiento Semilla, filed a constitutional appeal (amparo) with the Constitutional Court to halt FECI’s actions. On July 13, the CC suspended Judge Orellana’s order to ensure the smooth running of the second round of elections in August. However, the CC ignored the lack of jurisdiction of the Seventh Instance Criminal Court to disqualify a political party and allowed the MP to continue its investigations against Semilla, leading to a serious interinstitutional conflict.
The MP and FECI against the Supreme Electoral Tribunal
With the endorsement of thede los guatemaltecos” (Prensa Libre 20/07/2023).
Ante esta presión internacional, el gobierno de Giammattei ha intentado mostrar una postura conciliadora, pero sin tomar acciones concretas para frenar las maniobras de la derecha. El presidente ha llamado al diálogo entre las instituciones y ha pedido que se respete la independencia de cada una, pero no ha tomado medidas para detener los allanamientos y las investigaciones ilegales contra el TSE y Semilla.
La situación en Guatemala se encuentra en un punto crítico, con una crisis política que amenaza la democracia y el Estado de Derecho. Las maniobras de la derecha para impedir la participación de Semilla en la segunda vuelta electoral han desencadenado un conflicto entre instituciones del Estado, con el MP y la FECI atacando al TSE y al Movimiento Semilla. La presión internacional ha condenado estas acciones y ha llamado a garantizar un proceso electoral transparente y justo. Sin embargo, hasta ahora el gobierno de Giammattei ha mostrado una postura ambigua y no ha tomado medidas concretas para frenar las maniobras de la derecha. La situación se mantiene tensa y la incertidumbre sobre el futuro de las elecciones y la democracia en Guatemala persiste.
no de Estados Unidos emitió un comunicado en el que expresó su preocupación por la crisis política en Guatemala y exigió que se respete el proceso electoral y se garantice la participación de todos los partidos políticos. Además, el Departamento de Estado anunció que está considerando imponer sanciones a los responsables de obstaculizar el proceso electoral y violar los derechos democráticos en el país.
La Unión Europea también se pronunció al respecto, manifestando su preocupación por las acciones del MP y la FECI contra el TSE y el Movimiento Semilla. En un comunicado, la UE instó a las autoridades guatemaltecas a respetar el Estado de Derecho, garantizar la independencia de las instituciones y permitir que todos los partidos políticos participen en el proceso electoral de manera justa y transparente.
Estas declaraciones internacionales han generado presión sobre el gobierno guatemalteco y han puesto en evidencia la falta de legitimidad de las acciones de la derecha para impedir la participación de Semilla en la segunda vuelta electoral. Además, han dejado en claro que cualquier intento de socavar la democracia y los derechos políticos en Guatemala será condenado por la comunidad internacional.
En medio de esta crisis política, el Movimiento Semilla y sus seguidores han salido a las calles para protestar contra las acciones de la derecha y exigir que se respete la voluntad popular expresada en las urnas. Las manifestaciones han sido reprimidas por las fuerzas de seguridad, lo que ha generado aún más tensiones en el país.
En conclusión, la crisis política en Guatemala ha generado un conflicto entre instituciones del Estado y ha puesto en evidencia la falta de respeto a la democracia y los derechos políticos. Las acciones de la derecha para impedir la participación de Semilla en la segunda vuelta electoral han sido condenadas por la comunidad internacional, que exige que se respete el proceso electoral y se garantice la participación de todos los partidos políticos. La presión internacional y las protestas ciudadanas han dejado en claro que cualquier intento de socavar la democracia en Guatemala será rechazado y condenado.
What impact are the right-wing attacks on the popular vote and state institutions having on democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala?
Political Turmoil in Guatemala: Right-Wing Attacks on Popular Vote and Institutions Spark Crisis
Subtitle: Attempts by extremist right-wing parties to prevent the center-left Movimiento Semilla from participating in the second round of elections have resulted in a conflict between state institutions.
Date: [Insert Date]
Byline: [Insert Author Name]
In a move to undermine the popular vote in favor of the Movimiento Semilla, right-wing parties that were defeated in the first round of elections on June 25 have demanded the review of irregular ballot papers before the Constitutional Court (CC) and the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ). The recount, however, did not produce significant changes in the results, confirming the participation of the Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE) and Semilla in the second round on August 20.
Having failed in their initial maneuver, the right-wing has now resorted to a new tactic. On July 12, the Special Prosecutor Against Impunity (FECI) of the Public Ministry (MP) ordered the suspension of the legal status of Movimiento Semilla, citing alleged forgery of signatures and illegal affiliations during the party’s registration process, as well as potential money laundering. This decision by the MP is illegal, as according to the Electoral and Political Parties Law, no party can be suspended once the electoral process has begun. Furthermore, the court that executed the suspension lacks the jurisdiction to do so, as this matter falls exclusively under the purview of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
Bernardo Arévalo, the presidential candidate and secretary-general of Movimiento Semilla, filed a constitutional appeal (amparo) with the Constitutional Court to halt FECI’s actions. The CC suspended Judge Orellana’s order, ensuring the smooth running of the second round of elections. However, it did not address the lack of jurisdiction of the court to disqualify a political party, allowing the MP to continue its investigations against Semilla.
This clash between the MP and FECI on one side, and the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on the other, has created a critical situation in Guatemala that threatens democracy and the rule of law. The international community has condemned these actions and called for a transparent and fair electoral process. However, the government of Guatemala, under President Giammattei, has been ambiguous and has not taken concrete measures to halt the maneuvers of the right-wing. As a result, the situation remains tense, and uncertainty about the future of the elections and democracy in Guatemala persists.
In response, the United States has expressed concern about the political crisis in Guatemala and demanded respect for the electoral process and the participation of all political parties. The Department of State has also announced the possibility of imposing sanctions on those responsible for obstructing the process.
