Country in Crisis: Alleged Coup d’état Unfolds in Guatemala
GUATEMALA CITY – The political landscape in Guatemala is in turmoil as allegations of a coup d’état grip the nation. Alejandro Balsells, a lawyer and former president of the Center for the Defense of the Constitution, made the stark declaration on Thursday, urging the public to recognize the gravity of the situation. “The country is in a clear situation of a coup d’état, we must not use euphemisms,” Balsells declared during an interview with radio media.
These sentiments were echoed by media outlet La Hora in an editorial published on Thursday. The editorial emphasized that the response from the population, organized businessmen, and the international community has been resolute in rejecting what they see as a blatant coup d’état. The actions that unfolded during the raid of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal further added weight to these claims.
During the raid, agents were observed with ski masks, a common tactic used in operations against drug traffickers. This raised suspicions that the raid was not properly conducted, with many documents seized going unaccounted for. In a bizarre turn of events, it was also noted that media outlets were allowed to remain on the premises for an extended period of time.
The raid on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal is part of an ongoing investigation by the Public Ministry (MP) into alleged corruption involving the social democratic party, Semilla. The party had been suspended by a judge’s order, despite advancing to the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for August 20. This suspension came as a surprise to many, as Semilla’s candidate, Bernardo Arévalo de León, had been polling in a much lower position.
Prior to the raid, members of Semilla had expressed concerns about potential illegal actions by the government to undermine their candidacy. These fears included scenarios such as declaring Sandra Torres as president by decree or manipulating the candidacy in the second round to exclude Semilla. These suspicions materialized when a judge suspended Arévalo’s candidacy just one day before the raid.
The tensions surrounding the raid and subsequent events have placed Guatemala’s political landscape on edge. Supporters of Semilla and Arévalo, who garnered over 600,000 votes in the elections, are determined to continue their campaign for the presidency. Additionally, the international community, social organizations, and business leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation. The Public Ministry, led by Attorney General Consuelo Porras, has also faced criticism for undermining justice and allegedly promoting corruption.
The implications of these events on the political fabric of Guatemala are significant. The nation has not witnessed such tension since the resignation of former President Otto Pérez Molina in 2015 due to corruption accusations. It is a moment that will undoubtedly shape the future of Guatemalan politics and democracy.
As the investigation into the alleged corruption involving Semilla unfolds, questions remain about the validity of the raid and the impact it will have on the upcoming second round of the presidential elections. The Guatemalan Prosecutor’s Office claims that over 5,000 citizens were illegally associated with the Semilla party through the falsification of their signatures. However, the exact number of signatures presented to the electoral authority remains undisclosed.
While the future remains uncertain, the international community, including the United States, continues to closely monitor the situation. Brian Nichols, Undersecretary for Hemispheric Affairs at the US Department of State, expressed deep concern over the threats posed to electoral democracy in Guatemala by the actions of the Public Ministry.
As tensions rise and political divisions deepen, Guatemala finds itself at a crossroads. The path it chooses will determine not only the outcome of the upcoming elections but also the strength and integrity of its democratic institutions.