The political crisis in Guatemala had new developments this week, as Interior Minister David Barrientos resigned from his post following complaints that he had refused to use state force to clear roadblocks organized in support of President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and against Prosecutor General Consuelo Porras.
Mr. Arévalo took a surprise victory in this year’s presidential elections despite multiple bans on opposition candidates. His party was also banned after winning, leading to a shaky transition that is being resisted by many in the current administration.
Mr. Barrientos’ resignation happened shortly after authorities confirmed that one person was killed and another two were injured during shootings close to a protest hotspot in the district of Malacatán, close to the Guatemala-Mexico border. It was immediately accepted by outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei.
Despite massive pressure for officials to remove the numerous barricades that popped up across the country since early October, the former Interior Minister had defended dialogue. His stances displeased the Prosecutor’s Office, whose members officially requested the minister’s dismissal for “disobedience.”
Analysts are now warning that the new Interior Minister will have no option but to dismantle the blockades, raising risks of police abuses and putting human rights NGOs on alert.
Prior to these developments, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro described those attending the pro-democracy protests as “peaceful demonstrators” that can “in no way be confused with criminal elements.” Mr. Almagro also condemned efforts led by Ms. Porras against a stable democratic transition in Guatemala, describing the legal threats against Mr. Arévalo and his party Semilla as a “shameful example for the hemisphere.”
The president-elect and his backers see Ms. Porras as the primary hindrance to the upcoming inauguration in January. Despite Mr. Giammattei’s promise to deliver an orderly transition, meetings between him and his rightful successor have been suspended by the forthcoming administration until “necessary institutional and political conditions are re-established.”
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