Urgent Action for Guatemalan Democracy
APG members, along with the broader Guatemala solidarity community in Canada have sent the following letter to Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly regarding the need to defend the democratic transition that should take place in Guatemala on January 14. The swearing in of President-Elect Arevalo is still under threat from the Covenant of the Corrupt.
This letter was signed by 157 people, including 54 Canadian civil society organizations and scholars from 12 Canadian universities.
January 11, 2024
Re: Democracy and justice hang by a thread in Guatemala: Canada must do more
Dear Minister,
On behalf of 150 people from 61 Canadian civil society organizations and academic community working with Guatemalan peoples, we are writing to you today to share our deep concern about the coup attempt currently unfolding in Guatemala.
Guatemala stands at the crossroads between the recovery of a faltering democracy or the complete cooptation of the State by political and economic forces linked to organized crime. The international community’s response to this crisis – and that of Canada – could not be more important.
Since the surprise landslide presidential election victory of anti-corruption campaigner Bernardo Arévalo on August 20, the so-called “pact of the corrupt” that controls most of the Guatemalan State has sought to overturn the results. The inauguration of the new administration and Congress is supposed to occur on January 14 but whether they will be allowed to assume office remains in doubt.
In the months following Arevalo’s victory, different branches of the Guatemalan State, including the executive, much of the legislature, the Supreme and Constitutional Courts, and the Attorney General’s office - all deeply compromised with organized crime - have taken extraordinary measures to prevent the President-elect from taking office, including a suspension order against the party that won at the ballot box, Arévalo’s Movimiento Semilla (Seed Movement). Party supporters have been arrested, and magistrates of the Electoral Tribunal also threatened with prosecution. Add to that efforts to remove the legal immunity of both the president-elect and vice president-elect, as well as Semilla congressional representatives in order to prosecute them on trumped up charges, such as expressing support on social media for student pro-democracy protests. Already, other anti-corruption advocates and officials have been charged and imprisoned, or forced into exile, amid a disturbing perversion of justice in Guatemala.
In response, tens of thousands of Guatemalans, guided by Indigenous ancestral authorities, have taken to the streets to defend the democratic process and the rule of law. Huge non-violent demonstrations paralysed transport and commerce for much of October and November. Yet Congress and the Attorney General’s office only deepened their assault, forcing most of the judges of the Electoral Tribunal to leave the country and demanding that the Supreme Court annul the elections. Ancestral authorities have faced reprisals, including assassinations, threats, and criminalization.
Conflicts in the countryside are also increasing as landlords and agro-industry take advantage of the distraction caused by the undermining of the democratic transition and carry out extra-judicial displacement of Indigenous communities. We request that Canada’s diplomatic representation in Guatemala pay close attention to events in rural Guatemala during the tumultuous weeks leading to the January 14 inauguration, as stressed in a letter previously sent on Dec. 12 by Canadian civil society organizations to GAC executive director for Central America, Carolyn Knobel.
On December 8, the Organization of American States (OAS) General Secretariat condemned what it called “the attempted coup d'état by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Guatemala”, through the cancellation of general elections, which “constitutes the worst form of democratic breakdown and the consolidation of a political fraud against the will of the people”. France has “strongly condemn[ed] attempts to challenge the results of Guatemala’s general elections” calling them “a grave threat to the transition process, the rule of law and democracy in Guatemala” .
Canada has played a positive role to date. On December 10, Canada’s Ambassador to Guatemala, Rajani Alexander, joined the ambassadors of Germany, France, Great Britain, Sweden and Switzerland, and the chargé d'affaires of the United States to call publicly for full compliance with the results of the national elections. Canada’s Ambassador at the Organization of American States, Stuart Savage, has supported strong multilateral measures to pressure Guatemalan authorities to respect the election results. These are important steps. Given the high stakes, Canada must do more.
The days leading up to the January 14 presidential inauguration are crucial for the future of Guatemala. If Arévalo can take office, he will do so with an overwhelming mandate to roll back corruption and recover the democratic institutions that have been so badly eroded during the past five years. But if the slow coup that is currently underway is allowed to succeed and Arévalo is prevented from taking office, it will be the final blow to the democratic reconstruction that has been so painstakingly built by courageous Guatemalans, with international support, following 36 years of armed conflict.
Canada, and our allies, must make it unambiguously clear that after January 14, they will recognize no other government in Guatemala than that of President Bernardo Arevalo. The consequences that will unfold should democracy be subverted must also be crystal clear:
suspension of bilateral aid
freezing Guatemalan State assets held abroad
opposing further financial assistance from multilateral lending institutions, such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The uneasy alliance involved in the slow coup is already beginning to fray in the face of massive, ongoing resistance by the Guatemalan people and growing pressure from the international community. If the international consequences of the democratic rupture are spelled out, it may be enough to tip the balance in favour of democracy and hope.
We count on the Government of Canada to make a strong statement supporting Arévalo and denouncing the coup attempt in Guatemala.
We would be happy to discuss this matter further with you or members of your staff.
Sincerely,
1
Americas Policy Group / Groupe d’orientation politique pour les Amériques
2
Maricarmen Guevara, Retired, ALBA Social Movements Canada
3
Sergio Pochon, Human Rights officer, Alternativa Latinoamericana CFRU 93.3 FM
4
Atlantic Regional Solidarity Network (ARSN)
5
Maurice Shapiro, retired woodworker, BC CASA/Cafe Justicia Canada
6
BC CASA/Cafe Justicia Canada
7
Stephanie Smith, President, BC General Employees' Union
8
Kathleen Ruff, Former Director, BC Human Rights Commission
9
Bill Bargeman, Teacher ( retired), BC Teachers' Federation
10
Larry Kuehn, Retired Director of Research, BC Teachers' Federation
11
Stephen Stewart, Coffee Importer, Cafe Justicia
12
Larry Hum, Café Justicia Education in Action
13
Laura Macdonald, Professor, Carleton University
14
Lazar Konforti, Researcher, Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social, Unidad Regional Sureste (CIESAS-Sureste)
15
Romola V Thumbadoo, Research Associate, Carleton University, Circle of All Nations
16
Change for Children, Edmonton, Alberta
17
Roger Bélisle, Rentier de l'éducation , Citoyen engagé
18
Alexandra Henao, Education Program Director, CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev)
19
Bruna Weber, CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev)
20
Deanna Fasciani, Executive Director, CoDevelopment Canada (CoDev)
21
Rosalinda Hidalgo, Responsable des actions urgentes, Comite pour les droits humains en Amérique Latine
22
Kevin Gould, Professor, Concordia University
23
Filiberto Celada, Decolonized Solidarity Network
24
Patricia Hayward, Retired, Development and Peace
25
Ken Dent, Physician, Doctors of BC
26
Estamos aquí / We are here / Nous sommes ici
27
Marco Fonseca, Instructor, Glendon College, York University
28
Joshua Mann, Policy Analyst, Government of Canada
29
MICHAEL FORTIN, DEVELOPER, GRASSROUTES
30
Paul Weinberg, freelance writer, Independent Jewish Voices
31
Mylène Coderre, PhD, chercheure en immigration, Institut national de santé publique
32
Jen Moore, Associate Fellow, Institute for Policy Studies - Global Economy Program
33
International Solidarity Network with Guatemala
34
Silvia Vasquez-Olguin, Latin America, Gender Justice & Extractivism Coordinator, Kairos Canada
35
Lynda Yanz, Executive Director, Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN)
36
Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
37
Arturo Ezquerro-Cañete, Maritimes Coordinator, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
38
Brian Atkinson, Retired, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
39
Coralie Cameron, Teacher, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
40
Dirk Groenenberg, Farmer, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
41
Lenora Yarkie, Retired, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
42
Yvette Michaud, Retired, Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network
43
Martha Justice Ministry, Sisters of St. Martha, Antigonish
44
Cory Greenlees, Mining Justice Action Committee
45
Viviana Herrera, Latin American program coordinator, MiningWatch Canada
46
Emilie Smith, Anglican Priest, Oscar Romero Network (SICSAL)
47
Shin Imai, Professor Emeritus, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
48
Sandra Hernandez, Laboratory Technician, Ottawa-Gatineau Guatemalan Association
49
Matthew Diegel , Pastor , Our Saviour's Lutheran Church
50
People for Peace, London, Ontario
51
Brisna Caxaj Rowe , MED, Plataforma Canadá de Guatemaltecxs exiliadxs por terrorismo de estado
52
Nelly Marcoux, Consultante, Projet Accompagnement Québec-Guatemala / Breaking the Silence Maritimes-Guatemala Network
53
Projet Accompagnement Québec Guatemala - PAQG
54
Chris Aylward, National President, Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC)
55
Laura Avalos, PSAC Social Justice Fund / Fonds de justice sociale de l'AFPC
56
Maritana Quaresma, Data Analyst, PUC-Rio
57
W. George Lovell, Professor of Geography, Queen's University
58
Gerald E. Rowe, PhD, Red internacional de solidaridad con Guatemala (RISG)
59
Red internacional de solidaridad con Guatemala (RISG)
60
Sabina Harpe, Past Educational Administrator - retired, Richmond School District, British Columbia
61
Grahame Russell, PhD Profesor adjunto Universidad de British Columbia, Rights Action
62
Mary Ellen Davis, Part-time faculty, School of Cinema, Concordia University, Montréal
63
Cory Rushton, Professor, StFX
64
Christie Neufeldt, Global Partnerships Coordinator - Latin America and the Caribbean, The United Church of Canada
65
Vanessa Ong, Employment Counsellor, The Working Centre
66
Tim Louis, Lawyer, Tim Louis & Company
67
Todos por / All for / Tous pour Guatemala
68
Pedro Mintejo, Carpenter, Todos Por Guatemala - Canada
69
Ulises Fuentes, Civil Engineer, Todos Por Guatemala - Canada
70
Tito Medina, Singer Songwriter, Tzijolaj Guatemala-Canada
71
United Steelworkers (USW) / Syndicat des Métallos (Métallos)
72
Karine Vanthuyne, Professeure agrégé, Université d'Ottawa
73
Marie-Dominik Langlois, Doctorante, Université d'Ottawa
74
Stephen Brown, Professeur de science politique, Université d'Ottawa
75
Etienne Roy Grégoire, Professeur régulier, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
76
Marc-André Anzueto, Professeur en développement international, Université du Québec en Outaouais
77
Hepzibah Munoz-Martinez, Professor, University of New Brunswick
78
Robert Whitney, Professor Emeritus, University of New Brunswick - St. John
79
Catherine Nolin, Professor of Geography, University of Northern British Columbia
80
Simon Granovsky-Larsen, Associate Professor, Politics and International Studies, University of Regina
81
Mélisande Séguin, Graduate student, University of Victoria
82
Cory Greenlees, Victoria Central America Support Committee
83
Irwin Oostindie, Director , Voor Urban Labs
84
Liisa North, Professor Emerita, York University
85
Robert Clarke, Government Employee (retired), activist with Central America Support Committee, Victoria
86
Abeni Steegstra, Research Associate
87
Alberto Ramos
88
Allen Specht, Retired
89
Amber Lahmann
90
Ana Calderon, Regional manager
91
Avexnim Ren
92
Barbara Wood
93
Bernard Schulz, Retired
94
Caren Weisbart
95
Carroll Guen Hart, Retired
96
Claudia B., Community worker
97
Connie Mayor, Retired
98
Cristhian Chávez
99
David Heap, Academic & human rights advocate
100
Dimitri Rousseau, Program Officer
101
Donald Balanoff, Retired
102
Doug Roberts,
103
Elizabeth Whelan, Teacher (retired)
104
Elizabeth Hill, Retired
105
Frank Lee, Retired
106
George Bartlett, Retired Lawyer
107
Giuliana Fumagalli, Citoyenne engagée
108
Ingrid Gomez, Business Administrator
109
Ingrid Mayrhofer, Retired
110
Jaime Calderon, Technician
111
Janet Teibo, Union representative
112
Janet St Jean, Retired
113
Jim Hodgson, Journalist
114
John Quaggin, Legal Professional
115
John Leitold, Retired teacher
116
Josiane Richer
117
Judith Cantwell, retired Social Worker
118
Katharine Laurie
119
Katheryne Schulz, Retired
120
Kim Levis, Retired
121
Kimia Eslah, Writer
122
Lee Ann Ward, Retired lawyer
123
Liliana Oliva
124
Louella Vincent, Community Support Worker
125
Lydia Jenkinson, Retired
126
Lynn Hutchinson Lee, artist/writer
127
Marc Xuereb
128
Marcella Braggio,
129
Margaret Enwright, Church Minister
130
Maria Calderon, Engineer
131
Marie Paradis
132
Mary Dohe, Retired
133
Micah Archila, Physiotherapist
134
Olga Gladkikh, Adult educator
135
Peter Harris, Retired, CEO of charity serving people of Guatemala
136
Steffi Black, Coach, Steffi Black Coaching
137
Carol Kysela, Trainer/mentor, Education For Ministry
138
Gordon Doctorow, Retired adjunct professor
139
Pierre LeBlanc, Retired
140
Pip Strachan, Physiotherapist
141
Rebecca MacDonald, Settlement worker
142
Roséa Lonsdale, Retired Teacher
143
Ruth Leckie, Retired educator
144
Sabrina Jeria, MA student
145
Sandra Langley
146
Sarah Ringdahl, Dr Retired
147
Sharon Ward, Retired
148
Shelley Porteous
149
Sonia Lopez, Technician
150
Steve Lloyd, Retired
151
Trudy Moul, Retired
152
Vilma Caceres, RECE
153
Walter Villeda, Trabajador
154
Wayne Mundle, Retired
155
Wendy Santizo
156
Wendy Watson Smith, Retired
157
Eric Mills, editor