(Guatemala) Guatemala witnessed another day of peaceful demonstrations in several towns and villages on Monday, calling for “free elections” due to the alleged interference of the public prosecutor in the campaign for the second round of the presidential election.
The most populous country in Central America has been experiencing days of tension since the first round of the presidential election on June 25, due to these accusations of interference which generated uncertainty about the second round scheduled for August 20, between the Social Democratic candidates Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arévalo.
“We want free elections” or “I refuse to live in a dictatorship”, could be read on banners held up by protesters during a demonstration in the center of the capital.
“The people of Guatemala are vigilant and we will demand respect for the laws, the constitution and the election results,” protester Allan Ramirez told reporters.
Demonstrations also took place in the west of the country, notably in the city of Quetzaltenango and in Mayan municipalities in the departments of Quiché and Totonicapán, according to local media.
Some companies joined the call for a national strike by academic and social organizations, but not big business and powerful private sector transport chambers.
Although the two candidates vying for the second round are both from the same camp, Attorney General Consuelo Porras’ office is seeking to disqualify Bernardo Arevalo’s Semilla party.
The demonstrators demand the dismissal of judge Fredy Orellana and prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche. Both were sanctioned for “corruption” by Washington, as was Mr.me Porras.
On the orders of Mr. Curruchiche, Mr. Orellana ordered the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) to disqualify the Semilla party, citing anomalies in the way it was created in 2017. At the request of the prosecution, two searches were carried out at the headquarters of the TSE, which refused to comply with this order.
The international community, like several analysts, considers the actions of the Attorney General as an attempt to remove Mr. Arevalo from the ballot.
It is “vital” that the second round takes place “without interference or harassment” from candidates and political parties, said Brian Nichols, head of US diplomacy for Latin America, on Monday.
“Guatemalans have the right to choose their leaders,” Mr. Nichols insisted in a message posted on Twitter.
Washington is “deeply concerned” by the search of Semilla’s party offices “and attempts to revoke” its legal status, a State Department spokesman, who requested anonymity, told AFP.
“The peaceful public protests of the past two weeks represent the broad spectrum of voices raised to protect the integrity of the June 25 election,” the State Department spokesperson said. He considered that these “persistent efforts to interfere in the elections” lead to “undermining the democratic process” in Guatemala and its “adherence to the terms of the Inter-American Democratic Charter”.
The election of any social democrat will end 12 years of right-wing government.