Bernardo Arévalo takes on the Presidency of Guatemala

At the request of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, represented Brazil in the inauguration of Guatemala's elected president, Bernardo Arévalo, and Vice President, Karin Herrera, this Sunday (14) in Guatemala City.

The inauguration of the new president faced the resistance of the opposition in Congress, which delayed the ceremony. There were pro-Arévalo protests at the Constitution Square in Guatemala City against the acts devised to hinder the ceremony.

"The electoral process in Guatemala faced serious threats, but democracy prevailed", stated the Vice President.

"The threats to President Lula's inauguration reinforced our conviction on the importance of the international community's support, and of instruments such as the OAS's Democratic Charter, to preserve democracy in the American continent,” he said.

On Sunday afternoon, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, released a joint declaration in support of Arévalo and his elected Vice President.

In signing the letter, Alckmin declared that Guatemala had "a fair, free and transparent election process, accompanied by international observers, which reflected the free expression of the will of the Guatemalan people”, he stated. "Democracy showed its strength in Guatemala, and the respect for the results from the ballot box benefits our entire region", he added.

Alckmin also participated in the oath solemn session and the inauguration ceremony for the members of cabinet of the Guatemalan government.

Before the inauguration ceremony, the Vice President met with Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and with Mexico's Chancelor, Alícia Ibarra. Alckmin also had a bilateral meeting with the Vice President of Guatemala, Karin Herrera.

The Guatemalan authorities showed great interest in Brazilian programs for family farming and water usage. Brazil e Guatemala have maintained diplomatic relations for over a century. In the past years, they intensified technical cooperation, especially in programs such as breastfeeding and community guards.

"Promoting international collaboration initiatives with countries in Central America and the Caribbean is one of the priorities of the Brazilian government. Among them, Guatemala is a highlight, with its population of over 18 million and its strategic location”, stated the Vice President.

Alckmin recalled that President Lula was the first Brazilian representative to visit Guatemala, in 2005. "With President Arévalo's election, a man who demonstrated great sensitivity towards Guatemala's social challenges, a window of opportunity has been open for our countries in terms of cooperation and markets, which will translate into benefits for our populations, creating jobs and fostering an increase in incomes”, he declared. Alckmin is also the Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services.