UN: Democracy 'Remains in Danger' in Guatemala

Above: Guatemalan Pres. Bernardo Arevalo arrives at Elysee Palace for a meeting with French Pres. Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 19, 2024, in Paris. Image copyright: Chesnot/Contributor/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk has warned that democracy "remains in danger" in Guatemala, despite election winner Pres. Bernardo Arévalo taking office in January.

  • He further expressed concerns over polarization between state institutions, the misuse of criminal law to persecute human rights defenders, high levels of corruption, racism, and gender inequality in the country.


The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Bernardo Arévalo's election victory was just the first step in restoring faith in government in Guatemala, as corrupt elites that have long ruled the country were finally pushed out of the presidency. There's still a long way to go before democratic erosion can be interrupted, but Arévalo and his administration have a clear mandate to do whatever it takes to achieve that.

Establishment-critical narrative

Democracy is indeed at risk in Guatemala. However, it's the US State Department and the UN-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala that have unlawfully supported undemocratic forces to promote their own globalist agenda in the country — and across Latin America — under the guise of fighting corruption.


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