Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 16th Jan. UN head Antonio Guterres on Monday wished the newly sworn-in President of Guatemala, after the legal manoeuvres reportedly prevented him from taking office.
According to UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric in New York told reporters that President Bernardo Arévalo won the election in August by a clear margin but the country’s attorney general sought to invalidate his win through months of legal procedures.
The swearing in was delayed by ten hours on Sunday, and after finally taking office, news media stated.
President Arévalo acknowledged the country’s large indigenous population which around 40 per cent of Guatemalans belong to.
Indigenous groups supported the president strongly during the turbulent post-election months, and in his inauguration speech.
He said that there can’t be democracy without social justice, and social justice will not prevail without democracy.
Dujarric spoke on behalf of the Secretary-General stated “He welcomes that the democratic will of voters has been respected and notes the President’s declared commitments to advancing peace, social justice, human development, transparency, and democratic reform.”
Mr. Guterres “reaffirms that the United Nations stands ready to accompany Guatemala and Guatemalans in these efforts”, Mr. Dujarric added.
