Guatemala: Arévalo announces cabinet with gender parity days after assuming presidency

The social democrat Bernardo Arevalowho will assume the presidency of the GuatemalaThis Monday, he presented a cabinet of seven men and seven women for his anti-corruption government, although he received some criticism because two of them are linked to traditional businessmen and politicians.

“Seven women and seven men will make up the first joint cabinet in the country’s history with great commitment“, said the future ruler when presenting his government team at the theaters Miguel Angel Asturiasin capital.

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Arévalo stated that the main challenge of the new cabinet will be “rescue”institutions corroded by corruption.

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera in Guatemala City on January 8, 2024. (Photo by Johan ORDONEZ / AFP) (JOHAN ORDONEZ/)

Most of the 14 ministers are almost unknown to Guatemalans, but there are two in the group who have raised some criticism on social media.

Arévalo appointed Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing Jasmine de la Vegapartner of powerful business leadership, until now distant from the future president.

Furthermore, he appointed as his future Minister of the Interior (Interior) Francisco Jiménezwho held this position during the government of the late former president Álvaro Colom (2008-2012), accused of corruption.

The president-elect acknowledged that “indebted to plurality”of the country, alluding to the fact that only one indigenous woman is part of its team, Miriam Roquel (Work). Indigenous communities represent 42% of the 17.6 million Guatemalans.

Likewise, it announced this Monday that it will create a National Commission against Corruptionwhich will be an advisory and monitoring body, but without providing further details.

Arévalo guaranteed that on Sunday he will assume the presidency despite public ministry (Public Ministry) carried out an offensive against him and his Seed movementaccusing them of alleged electoral illegalities.

“From a legal point of view there is no possibility (of preventing him from taking office). Of course, they will always continue to try and continue to want to play, through capricious interpretations, the last minute game.” he claimed.

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In December, the Constitutional Court (CC) ordered to guarantee “The acquisition”of all elected officials, while the Supreme Electoral Court declared the election results as “unalterable and definitive”.

The Public Ministry has launched its legal offensive against Arévalo since he entered the second presidential round in the June elections. The now elected president then denounced an attempt to “coup d’etat” in response to his promise to fight corruption.

Among these actions, the Public Ministry tried to remove Arévalo, who will replace the right-wing Alejandro Giammatteiwas stripped of his immunity.

Source: Elcomercio