International officials make a joint statement in support of Guatemala's President-elect

Brazil's Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, represents the country in the inauguration ceremony, which has not yet occurred due to a delay in the procedures in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala

Published in Jan 14, 2024 11:50 PM

Vice President Geraldo Alckmin represents Brazil at the inauguration ceremony - Photo: Disclosure / VPR - Credit: Divulgação / VPR

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, released on Sunday afternoon (14/1), in Guatemala City, a joint statement in support of the President-elect of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, and his Vice President-elect, Karin Herrera.

At the request of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, represents Brazil in the inauguration ceremony, which has not yet occurred due to a delay in the procedures in the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala.

"I have just participated, together with presidents, foreign ministers, representatives of Latin American and European countries, and the Secretary General of the OAS, Luis Almagro, in an act in support of the effective inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo as president of Guatemala, after the holding of a fair, free and transparent election, accompanied by international observers and reflecting the free expression of will of the Guatemalan people. Democracy has shown its strength in Guatemala, and respect for the outcome of the ballot box benefits our entire region.", declared the Brazilian Vice President.

Read the full joint statement:

Declaration in support of President Bernardo Arévalo and democracy in Guatemala

Gathered in Guatemala City for the presidential inauguration, we call on the Congress of the Republic to fulfill its constitutional mandate to hand over power as required by the constitution today to President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera.

The Guatemalan people expressed their democratic will in fair, free and transparent elections, endorsed by the international community through its electoral observation missions. That will must be respected.

On behalf of all the delegations invited and represented here at the level of Heads of State and Government; Foreign Ministers and High-Level officials; Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS); High Representative of the European Union; Ibero-American Secretary General.

Guatemala City, January 14, 2024