US Senators promote the decision in favor of the transfer to Bernardo Arevalo

Members of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced a resolution calling for the peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Bernardo Arevalo.

With this, we urge the Government of Guatemala to set priorities and work actively to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and move forward with the inauguration of the President-elect on January 14.

The senators who introduced this resolution include Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Dick Durbin, Tim Kaine, Jeff Merkley, LaFonza Butler, and Peter Welch.

“The people of Guatemala cast their vote in a free and fair presidential election. They deserve to have their voices heard and respected. Cardin points out that the Guatemalan government must respect the will of the people and allow the peaceful transfer of power to President-elect Arevalo.

Prevent penalties

In the proposed resolution submitted, among other things, the State Department, the Treasury Department and USAid were called upon to prepare for the possibility that the leadership change would not occur peacefully.

They call for a re-evaluation of all elements of US bilateral foreign assistance and cooperation with the government of Guatemala.

In doing so, they also point out that an evaluation must be made of all diplomatic and economic tools, including sanctions that could be used to hold accountable Guatemalan public officials, private sector actors, and others who supported or made efforts to prevent the transition. power.

Requests to reduce the penalty

The resolution also calls on the government to commute the sentences of journalist José Rubén Zamora and former prosecutor Virginia Laparra. “And put an end to intimidation and threats against all actors working to reduce corruption in Guatemala.”.