Until the last day, in the last hours, maneuvers in Congress delayed the inauguration, even before more than 60 delegations were present in the country, but in the end the politician swore loyalty to the Constitution as president.
In his first words to the nation, the sociologist and former diplomat expressed that “we are moving forward along the path that many of us have laboriously trodden and, thanks to the democratic exercise, mark a significant milestone.”
“It gives me great honor to demonstrate the strength we need to resist and that through unity and trust we can transform the political landscape in Guatemala,” he added.
According to the head of state, fundamental institutions such as the Supreme Electoral Court and the Constitutional Court (CC) protected the sovereign desire of Guatemalans to live in democracy.
His special thanks went to those who led the country to this important moment: to the young people of Guatemala who have not lost hope.
To the families who believed in a different future and did not give in to misinformation and lies, in addition to the ancestral leadership, to the four peoples “from whom I never stop learning and appreciating on a daily basis,” he argued.
After the ceremony, Arévalo and his vice president Karin Herrera welcomed the heads of delegation and delivered a speech early Monday in the central Plaza de la Constitución of this capital.
Change can be difficult, the president told hundreds of citizens who envisioned a government that will have to make difficult decisions and face moments of doubt.
“Today begins four years that will be marked by obstacles that we cannot currently imagine,” warned the 65-year-old scientist and writer.
In a mass in the metropolis's cathedral, Archbishop Gonzalo de Villa viewed the challenge of establishing a new congress and government as a cause for hope and joy.
After attending a Mayan ceremony with Herrera, Arévalo pushed for the creation of a functioning anti-corruption mechanism, to the detriment of the commission set up by the previous president, Alejandro Giammattei.
Showing his commitment to the National Civil Police, he assured that he would initiate promotion processes based on merit and break with the political practices that have influenced this institution over the years.
When the appointments of deputy ministers and other officials attracted media attention, the Central Committee ordered the (unicameral) Congress to re-elect its executive board.
The alliance formed by Semilla, now led by Nery Ramos as successor to Samuel Pérez, retained control of the legislature over an increasingly weak opposition which, despite its claims, showed no form this time.
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