Bernardo Arévalo assumes the Presidency of Guatemala. Image Credit: Gobierno de Guatemala.
Bernardo Arévalo Speech

Speech by Bernardo Arévalo: “Never again authoritarianism.”

Soledad Quartucci

Speech by Bernardo Arévalo: “Never again authoritarianism, never again violence or arbitrariness.”

Bernardo Arévalo addressed issues such as authoritarianism, respect for human rights, migrants, and climate change in his inaugural speech.

The President of the Republic, César Bernardo Arévalo de León, took office on January 15, 2024, at 12:20 AM. After his swearing-in and other protocol acts, he addressed those present at the National Theater of Guatemala.

At 12:36 AM, he began a speech that concluded 26 minutes and 7 seconds later. In this speech, he referred to the government plans he has and emphasized citizen participation, especially that of ancestral peoples, to maintain and protect democracy in the country.

 

 

“On this momentous day, we move forward on the path that many of us have carved with effort, marking a significant milestone thanks to the democratic exercise. It fills me with deep honor to assume this high responsibility, demonstrating that our democracy has the necessary strength to endure and that, through unity and trust, we can transform the political landscape in Guatemala,” said Arévalo at the beginning of his speech.

 

 

He added, “This moment not only represents a personal achievement but also a firm step toward a future where citizen participation and positive change prevail. This honor is the result of the hopeful and sincere trust that millions of Guatemalans have placed in our collective project.”

Arévalo continued, “It reflects the faith that the broad majorities of our country have in our ability to overcome challenges and move towards a more promising future.”

The president expressed gratitude to sister nations “for their solidarity” and to “those who have accompanied them in defense of democratic institutions and the preservation of the rule of law.”

“International support has been instrumental in sustaining democracy. Over the past months, we have faced complex tensions that led to the belief that we were destined for an authoritarian setback,” he asserted.

 

 

According to the president, “these months witnessed the resurgence of dictatorship in Guatemala.”

“The Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the Constitutional Court have safeguarded democracy, the sovereign desire of Guatemalans. The support of democratic nations around the world has been crucial because it has allowed me to be here and overcome the first major commitment,” he affirmed.

Arévalo exclaimed, “Never again authoritarianism, never again violence or arbitrariness to uphold personal agendas. Never again will institutions bow to corruption and impunity.”

According to the president, the speech was directed “to the youth of Guatemala, who did not lose hope, and today I can speak to you from here.”

“Thanks to the families that did not succumb to misinformation during these months. To the ancestral leadership of the four peoples, from whom I never cease to learn every day. I am aware of the historical debts that we must resolve. Thanks to everyone because you chose to make Guatemala change today,” he appreciated.

 

 

Arévalo acknowledged that all of this has served to “honour our past, the achievements of promoting unity and harmony. To the people of Guatemala, to its political, professional, and ancestral leadership.”

“Let’s embrace our differences and acknowledge that they contribute to our society. It is time for unity, dialogue, and peace. It is an opportunity to end decades of historical neglect. To reclaim peace agreements that a selfish political class destroyed,” he emphasized.

“It is necessary to recover the quality of life of our people,” he opined.

For Arévalo, they now have the opportunity to build a robust and stable institutional framework. “We are starting to dismantle brick by brick. We are at a critical juncture of significant proportions. All of this will define the course from now on,” he expressed.

Promises

“Our government proposal is in a simple formula. There can be no democracy without social justice, and this cannot prevail without democracy. Despite its simplicity, this formula has been notably absent in the government administration for much of our history,” he explained.

For Arévalo, promises are not made in theoretical matters but in concrete issues. “The State will assume its historical role in generating development in essential aspects such as electricity, environmental sanitation, education, and the generation of this will create thousands of new jobs throughout the national territory.”

The president pledged to improve health services, “guided by principles of health and universality to reach all members of our families. Vaccination and access to medications for chronic diseases will be ensured and combated, such as malnutrition. We will guarantee that all girls and boys can grow up healthy, fulfilled, and well.”

He offered to expand the educational system, responding with quality and cultural relevance for children and adolescents.

He also promised to facilitate access to housing for young households. “Strengthen investments in basic services, in collaboration with municipalities.”

For Arévalo, it is necessary to have “economic structures that benefit all communities. Irrigation projects, planning of the metropolitan transportation system towards a subway that improves the safety of the citizens of Guatemala and Mixco. “We will lay the foundations to consolidate human development in Guatemala,” he stated.

The president also pledged “the strengthening of the productivity of small and medium-sized enterprises. Providing credits to new entrepreneurs entering the market in all territories. We will launch job training campaigns.”

“We will promote national and foreign investment to expand the country’s productive structure,” he pointed out.

He considered a special focus on public investment, “working with communities and the private sector. Additionally, working for the forests, a better solid waste management program, and giving back to this generous land for all it has given us.”

“We believe in integration and cooperation processes in Central America and Mesoamerica, productive energy transition. Committed to social development, respecting the peoples,” he emphasized.

 

 

Security and Migrants

Arévalo’s government security policy is based on recovering the justice system. “This will contribute to peace in homes and create a more stable and secure region.”

He also promised to incorporate migrant communities into the social and political life of the country. “We will work with them. They must work in their communities.”

“We will work through dialogue to build a more just and prosperous future for everyone. We have emphasized maintaining open channels of communication with various sectors,” he reaffirmed.

Arévalo assured that they will establish the foundations for generational development through dialogue “that allows us to build society’s trust in four major areas: education, health, development, and the environment.”

“We recognize the historical debt of the State to indigenous peoples. We will make our plan in respectful dialogue, changing what has now been evaded, which has been denied to them for centuries.”

“We have formed a cabinet with many women, like never before in history, with effective equality between men and women. The program will be carried out in full respect and enforcement of human rights,” he asserted.

He emphasized, “Violations of human rights never again.”

Arévalo placed climate change as the most urgent challenge. “We inhabit a more exposed region. My government will implement policies to adapt, along with international allies taking responsibility for mitigation.”

He pledged to treat migrants crossing Guatemala with compassion and respect, just as they want their compatriots leaving the country to be treated.

Authoritarianism

In his speech, Arévalo mentioned that “the world is being confronted by a wave of authoritarianism and the spread of intolerance.”

“We face new authoritarian models, the co-optation of institutions that seek to betray the principles of each. This is the struggle we are facing in Guatemala and in other parts of Central America and the world. New and old battles of authoritarianism are being fought,” he explained.

“I am proud to state that the people of Guatemala are offering the world a example of conviction and democratic resilience,” he declared.

Arévalo emphasized that the country is closing a circle of crisis and uncertainty to make way for the dawn of Guatemala, especially for the millions of people who could not be present in this theater today. “Today, from the Plaza de la Constitución, I will dedicate special words to them.”

“On my journey, I will express my gratitude to the ancestral indigenous leaders for their brave struggle for democracy and their prominent role in mobilizing the four peoples in defense of democracy,” he said.

He added, “Today, the diverse peoples that make up our great nation have advanced, carrying the torch of dignity and freedom, whose radiance has illuminated the entire world. This generation has stood as an example of dignity and determination for generations to come.”

“We can only look to the future with optimism, hope, and faith. Our nation, composed of its four peoples, is faced with an exceptional and unexpected opportunity to transform the course of our history. Let us seize it. And so, long live Guatemala,” he concluded.

With more than eight hours of delay, Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera were sworn in during the early hours of Monday, January 15, as president and vice president of Guatemala for the 2024-2028 term, after overcoming a series of legal obstacles that arose since they advanced to the second round in the general elections of June 2023, reports Guatevision.

To the tune of the melody “Primavera” by the violinist Antonio Vivaldi, Arévalo entered the Grand Hall Efraín Recinos of the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center, where he was finally sworn in as the constitutional president of the Republic of Guatemala by the deputies of the X Legislature.

“Yes, I swear,” he said with his left hand on the Constitution and his right hand raised when being invested by the president of the new Congress, Samuel Pérez Álvarez, a member of his party, the Movimiento Semilla.

In his first speech as the president of Guatemala, Arévalo stated that they have set a milestone to demonstrate that the democracy of Guatemala has the necessary strength to endure. He pointed out that, with determination, it is possible to transform the political landscape of the country.

Giammattei does not attend

Outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei did not personally appear on Sunday to hand over his position to Congress; instead, he did so through his secretary, arguing that he had to relinquish his position no later than midnight on January 14. Vice President Guillermo Castillo did attend the inauguration ceremony.

Giammattei sent his personal secretary to deliver the presidential sash to Congress, as confirmed by several sources. He also expressed that he would not be present at the swearing-in of the new leader.

“In the face of the risk of reaching midnight without starting the protocol acts, at this moment, I handed over the symbols of the Presidency to the Congress of Guatemala,” emphasized the outgoing president through his official communication channels.

“By this act, I deposit in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala the symbols of authority, consisting of the Sash, Button, and Presidential Collar, designating the Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Republic of Guatemala, Licenciada María Consuelo Ramírez Scaglia, to deliver the same and request that it be recorded in the minutes of the solemn session of the Congress of the Republic of the present date, that I leave under its custody the aforementioned symbols, and that I be considered separate from the position of President of the Republic of Guatemala before midnight on January 15, 2024,” reads a letter signed by Giammattei.

Despite the tradition of all departing presidents attending Congress on January 14 since the establishment of democracy in 1986, Giammattei made his final delivery of the government’s final report last Friday. His arrival at Parliament was one of the agenda points in Sunday’s ceremony, where the 160 new deputies for the 2024-2028 period were sworn in.

 

Soledad Quartucci | CEO/Founder, Latina Republic

Latina Republic is dedicated to promoting regional understanding through compelling narratives, articles, interviews, and reports that emanate from the heart of the Americas. Our foremost goal is to facilitate constructive dialogue by illuminating local viewpoints frequently overshadowed by mainstream media. Our mission is to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional issues, thus empowering them in their efforts. We are committed to portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America, while also chronicling the progression of social movements and amplifying the voices of those at the forefront of change.

Similar Posts