The Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, is in Guatemala to participate in the inauguration of that country's president-elect, Bernardo Arevalo. The Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, on Sunday (14) issued a joint statement in support of the President-elect as well as his Vice-President Karen Herrera, who included Brazil as a signatory.
Alckmin traveled to Guatemala City at the request of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He will represent Brazil at Arevolo's inauguration, which has not yet taken place due to delays in congressional proceedings in the Central American country.
“I have just participated, together with the presidents, foreign ministers and representatives of Latin American and European countries and the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, in an event in support of the inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo as President of Guatemala, after holding a fair, free and transparent election, monitored by international observers and reflecting free expression,” said Alckmin. “On the will of the Guatemalan people.”
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“Democracy has shown its strength in Guatemala, and respecting the election results benefits our entire region,” he added.
Social Democrat Bernardo Arevalo was elected in the second round with 58% of the vote against 37% for former First Lady Sandra Torres, who did not concede defeat. After confirming the result, he stated that he received a phone call from the current right-wing president, Alejandro Giammattei, who congratulated him on the result.
In his first speech after his victory, Arevalo emphasized the fight against corruption “to restore confidence in the state and democracy,” and said at the time: “The people of Guatemala have spoken strongly. They are tired of so much corruption.” .
Read the full joint statement in support of Guatemala's new president:
“Declaration of Support for President Bernardo Arevalo and Democracy in Guatemala
Gathered in Guatemala City for the presidential inauguration, we call on the Congress of the Republic to fulfill its constitutional mandate by handing over power, as required by the Constitution, today, to President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and his Vice-President, Karen Herrera.
The Guatemalan people expressed their democratic will in fair, free and transparent elections, which were evaluated by the international community through election observation institutions. This will must be respected.
On behalf of all invited delegations represented at the level of Heads of State and Government, Vice-Presidents, Chancellors, high-level officials, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, the High Representative of the European Union, and the Ibero-American Secretary General.
Guatemala City, January 14, 2024″
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