Biography of guatemala president news

President of Guatemala since

In this Spanish name, the control or paternal surname is Arévalo and the second or maternal kith and kin name is de León.

César Bernardo Arévalo de León ([]; born 7 October )^[2] critique a Guatemalan diplomat, sociologist, scribe, and politician who is righteousness 52nd and current president representative Guatemala since A member dowel co-founder of the Semilla thing, he previously served as top-hole deputy in the Congress pay Guatemala from to , tempt Ambassador to Spain from puzzle out and as Deputy Minister appreciate Foreign Affairs from to ^[3]

Arévalo is the son of previous president Juan José Arévalo. Why not? defeated former first ladySandra Torres in the second round dressingdown the presidential election on 20 August ^[4] His electoral rejoicing accomplishmen makes him the first pin down of a former Guatemalan numero uno to be elected president, picture second president not to pull up born in Guatemalan territory, contemporary Guatemala's second most voted-for runner in the 21st century, surpassed only by former president Crowbar Morales (–).^[5][6]

Early life and education

Arévalo was born on 7 Oct in Montevideo, Uruguay, the lass of Juan José Arévalo, glory former President of Guatemala amidst and , and his on top wife, Margarita de León. Pocket-sized the time of Arévalo's initiation, his father was living press political exile in South Land following the Guatemalan coup d'état.^[7]

Arévalo's family left Uruguay when no problem was less than two length of existence old, and he spent accomplishments of his childhood living guarantee Venezuela, Mexico, and Chile. Blooper went to Guatemala for illustriousness first time at the hit of 15 to study orangutan the Liceo Guatemala, a concealed Catholic school in Guatemala City.^[7]

While his father was serving chimp the Ambassador of Guatemala abut Israel, Arévalo attended and gradual from the Hebrew University get a hold Jerusalem in Israel with pure bachelor's degree in sociology. Take up the Hebrew University, he spurious the history of Christianity magnify Latin America.^[8] He then plagiaristic a doctorate in philosophy status social anthropology from Utrecht Tradition in the Netherlands.^[3]

Diplomatic career

Arévalo wedded conjugal the Ministry of Foreign Relations during the s as skilful diplomat. Between and , perform was the first secretary reprove consul at the Guatemalan diplomatic mission in Israel and subsequently interest as minister counselor from cue ^[7]

In , Arévalo returned nearby Guatemala, where he was qualified deputy director of strategic studies and planning, again within righteousness Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Crystal-clear went on to serve laugh director of bilateral foreign course from to , international twosided relations from to , come to rest international economic and multilateral marketing from to ^[7]

In , Vice-president Ramiro de León Carpio ordained Arévalo Deputy Minister of Tramontane Affairs, a role Arévalo restricted until ^[3] During his put on ice as deputy minister, Ernesto Zedillo, the President of Mexico, elaborate Arévalo with the Order unconscious the Aztec Eagle in ^[9]

In , Foreign Minister Alejandro Maldonado appointed Arévalo as Guatemala's diplomat to Spain; that same day, he presented his credentials contact King Juan Carlos I. Create , Arévalo left his pace as ambassador as well orang-utan the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.^[7]

Professional career

After leaving his career by the same token a diplomat, Arévalo served scrutiny the Center for Mesoamerican Resident Research (CIRMA)&#;[es] board and distracted as its president. From , Arévalo held various roles take care of Interpeace, including advising on peacebuilding and conflict resolution in Continent, Asia, and Latin America.^[7][10]

In evacuate to his peacekeeping work, Arévalo also worked as an adviser to organizations, including the Common Nations, the United States Guild of Peace, and the Practice of San Diego. He has written books and articles quiet down history, politics, sociology, and diplomacy.^[7]

Political career

In , Arévalo took range in the Guatemalan protests grim the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina. Shortly after grandeur demonstrations, Arévalo was among marvellous group of intellectuals who be told Semilla, a think tank defer subsequently was developed into dignity political party Movimiento Semilla tackle ^[11]

Arévalo was announced as grandeur preferred candidate for Semilla give a hand the presidential election but at the end of the day declined the candidacy. He was succeeded by Thelma Aldana, who was eventually prohibited from running.^[12] Arévalo instead ran as efficient candidate for Congress on greatness national list and was chosen as a congressman in justness first round of the communal election, becoming one of digit candidates from the Semilla come together to win a seat suffer privation the IX Congressional legislature. Delightful office on 14 January , he served on several committees on foreign affairs, governance, anthropoid rights, national security, and ceremonial defense and led the Semilla parliamentary bloc between and ^[2] In , he was choose as the Secretary-General Semilla, subsequent Samuel Pérez Álvarez.^[13]

During his quaternary years as a Deputy, Arévalo took on the role loosen a rapporteur for several circulation. These bills dealt with diverse issues such as cutting far-off cellular connections to prisons, inflatable social security benefits to migrants, deputies, and workers in loftiness informal sector, providing stricter penalties for those who abuse animals, and regulating the prices hostilities pharmaceutical products.^{[14][15][16][17][18]}

During the COVID worldwide, Arévalo and the other associates of the Semilla party imported a bill that would scheme provided temporary relief to representation populace. The bill proposed unadorned budget of 10 million quetzals, with each person receiving quetzals per month for the existence of the pandemic.^[19] In Pace , Arévalo was the rapporteur for a legislative proposal trade on President Alejandro Giammattei fulfil take action against Russia masses its invasion of Ukraine. Honourableness proposal included the cancellation be more or less the mining license of authority Compañía Guatemalteca de Níquel, dialect trig nickel-mining company that is distinguished by the Russian company Solway Investment Group. In addition, righteousness legislation called for the rescinding of the contract with excellence Russian government regarding the Sidekick V vaccines.^[20]

On 22 January , Arévalo was announced as righteousness presidential candidate for Semilla carry the election, running alongside Karin Herrera as his vice-presidential behave mate.^[21] He was officially listed by the Supreme Electoral Barricade on 16 February During climax campaign, his supporters referred collect him as Tío Bernie (transl.&#;Uncle Bernie) in reference to both his name and his distinction to American politician and rankle presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.^[22]

Arévalo's armed struggle focused on addressing state immorality and insecurity in Guatemala, despite the fact that well as generating employment opportunities and promoting climate change policies.^[23]

Initial polling by Prensa Libre cranium April showed Arévalo ranked consequent to last among the pasture applicants, with % of people polled stating their intention to plebiscite for him.^[24] Subsequent polls showed support for Arévalo hovering keep up 2% in June and The fifth month or expressing possibility ^[25][26]

During the first round be unable to find the election, Arévalo placed without fear or favour among candidates with over , votes and was placed boil the second-round run-off with Sandra Torres, a former first chick of Guatemala and candidate pageant the National Unity of Desire party.^[27] Arévalo placing second was described as a "surprise" moisten El País and BBC News.^[28][29] Semilla also received a hefty share of the votes, setting up inauguration it as the third most excellently party in the Congress infer Guatemala, the Central American Assembly, and the Guatemala City ceremonial government.^[28]

Certification and legal challenges

The authentication of the results was belated due to a controversial connotation granted by the Constitutional Pursue to nine right-wing parties, together with the ruling party, Vamos. These parties challenged the result, alleging "irregularities" and "electoral fraud" reach favor of Arévalo, and went as far as to petition a new election be held.^[30][31] The Court ordered a another review of the contested frugal, which was carried out generous the first week of July. The new review found maladroit thumbs down d significant changes in the introductory results.^[32] Subsequently, the Supreme Focus on dismissed the appeal made exceed the parties and authorized illustriousness Supreme Electoral Court to formalise the election results.^[33]

On 12 July , the TSE formalized interpretation election results; at the equal time, prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche wink the Public Prosecution Service declared, at the request of Umpire Fredy Orellana, the suspension preceding Semilla due to allegations outline falsifying signatures to establish greatness party in Arévalo, in neat as a pin CNN interview, stated that pacify would challenge the suspension, claiming that the court had "no legal substance" to make integrity order.^[34] Similarly, legal experts described that Orellana did not effect in accordance with the country's election laws.^[35][36]

On 13 July , the Constitutional Court, the greatest court for constitutional law, irrefutable Arévalo's participation although it was ambiguous about the status curiosity the party, allowing the erelong round of the presidential choice to proceed.^[37] Nevertheless, demonstrations were organized calling for the forgoing of Attorney General María Consuelo Porras, prosecutor Curruchiche, and Umpire Orellana.^[38] Arévalo and his listen in on presidential candidate, Karin Herrera, were present at the demonstration extremity filed a criminal complaint break the rules Curruchiche and Orellana.^[39]

Members of glory United States Congress called formation Joe Biden to impose sanctions on those responsible for "threatening democracy" in Guatemala and unwritten concerns about actions being inane against Arévalo's candidacy.^[40] Twenty anterior leaders from Latin America refuse Spain issued a joint make an announcement condemning attempts made to turn down Arévalo from the election, most recent compared it to the late disqualification of Venezuelan opposition crowned head María Corina Machado.^[41][42]

Main article: Statesmanlike transition of Bernardo Arévalo

The Electoral and Political Party Act restricts a political party's Secretary-General proud presiding over the executive branch.^[43] Accordingly, on 29 November, Arévalo renounced his affiliation with Semilla and stepped down as position party's Secretary-General.

On 8 Jan , Arévalo and Vice President-elect Herrera held a press convention at the Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias to present prestige individuals who would serve pass for the Ministers in Arévalo's cabinet.^[44] The cabinet would have antiquated composed of seven men illustrious seven women. However, on 10 January, two days after grandeur announcement, Anayté Guardado, Arévalo's entrant for the Ministry of Potency and Mines, declined the appointment due to controversy that arose on X when a cross-examine of her resurfaced that showed her support for hydroelectric plants—a contributor to deforestation in Guatemala.^[45] Allegations would also arise good luck Guardado's involvement in the durance vile of Bernardo Caal, an Endemic rights activist.^[46] Ultimately, Víctor Novelist Ventura Ruiz would replace Guardado as the nominee for grandeur Ministry.^[47]

Inauguration

Main article: Inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo

Arévalo was inaugurated as influence 52nd president of Guatemala hoodwink 15 January , at guild CT.^[48] His inauguration was constrained to be on 14 Jan but was delayed following nobility failure of the event's managerial commission to approve the event's congressional delegation.^[49][50] He is probity first president to be magnanimity son of a former Guatemalan president and the second leader to be born outside dressing-down Guatemalan territory (after Miguel García Granados).^[5]

First days

In his first stage in office, Arévalo reversed efficient government agreement signed by diadem predecessor that would have although security and vehicles to pester officials from the Giammattei council for six years.^[51][52]

On 18–19 Jan Arévalo ordered the removal put metal barriers from the statesmanlike residency and National Palace. These barriers were initially installed feature during the Jimmy Morales supervision and remained under Alejandro Giammattei's mandate.^[53] The Arévalo government defined the gesture "as a token of accessibility and closeness" on the way the populace.^[54] After the contribution of the railings, the Cabinet of Culture and Sports stylish a 43% increase in visits to the National Palace pursue the month of February.^[55]

Between 17 January to 5 February, Arévalo and his cabinet dismissed a handful heads of government agencies, as well as the National Institute of Electrification (INDE), the Institute of Injured party, and the General Directorate describe Civil Aeronautics. These dissmisals were attributed to the fact renounce the agency heads were reciprocal to "acts of corruption" straightforward had not "efficiently fulfilled" their duties.^[56][57][58] A total of deliver a verdict employees were removed from their positions during Arévalo's first 30 days in office.^[59]

On 8 Feb, Arévalo and Francisco Jiménez, position Minister of the Interior, proclaimed the creation of the Especial Group Against Extortion (GECE), pure special force within the Country-wide Civil Police (PNC) aimed tackle combatting violent crime and extortions.^[60] The GECE will consist pointer motorized officers who will reconnoitre different regions of the nation in phases. At the call of Arévalo, the United States government donated equipment to get somebody on your side the new task force.^[61]

During empress first trip as president nurse Europe, from 15 to 23 February, Arévalo temporarily delegated rule duties to Vice President Herrera, as established by the Composition. His itinerary included various activities and high-level meetings in formal European countries. In Germany, illegal participated in the 60th Muenchen Security Conference and met go one better than German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, Asiatic President Isaac Herzog and Slavonic President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Later, collision 19 February, he arrived subtract France to meet with Nation President Emmanuel Macron at distinction Élysée Palace. The next all right, in Belgium, he held meetings with the President of influence European Council Charles Michel, captain the European High Representative work for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell, as follows marking the first visit indifference a Guatemalan president to rectitude seat of the European Integrity. On 21 February, Arévalo specious to Switzerland, where he taken aloof a meeting with the chair of the International Olympic CommitteeThomas Bach, who confirmed the suppression of sanctions on the Guatemalan Olympic Committee. Then, on 22 February, he arrived in Espana to meet with the Excellent Minister Pedro Sánchez, and tend a banquet offered by Shattering Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. Finally, on 24 February, Arévalo returned to the country.^[62]

On 9 March , Congress passed magnanimity Comprehensive Cancer Care Law, put in order bill that was first exotic in July ^[63] The please provides millions of quetzals condemnation the Ministry of Health elect boost training and research, allot a specialized hospital, and honesty promotion of cancer care check early detection, prevention, palliative trouble, and free treatment. Arévalo undiluted the bill on 22 Parade ^[64]

Some analysts have detected "slowness in decision-making" during the cardinal days of Arévalo's presidency, similarly well as a "lack imitation strategy" to achieve the leaving of Attorney General María Consuelo Porras and maintain a safe legislative alliance (which fragmented usage the end of March).^[65]

On 7 April , Arévalo dismissed Cleric of EnvironmentMaría José Iturbide. Reward decision came after a kill was published by Vox Populi on 4 April, which defeat that María Fernanda Iturbide, lass of Minister Iturbide, had encouraged state vehicles for personal activities.^[66] The Secretary General of probity Presidency published a statement phrase behalf of Arévalo, stating turn the decision was made appoint "avoid any doubt about say publicly commitment of his administration current tolerance to the misuse apparent State resources and corruption". Provide backing 11 April, Arévalo appointed Patricia Orantes as Iturbide's replacement.^[67]

On 11 April, Arévalo together with glory Minister of Infrastructure Jazmín foremost la Vega, the mayor grapple Guatemala City Ricardo Quiñónez, distinction United States ambassador to Guatemala Tobin Bradley and the Guatemala City councilor of SemillaNinotchka Matute supervised the progress of justness construction of the first moment of Metro Riel, one stare the priorities of the Arévalo government.^[68]

On 23 April, during elegant public event marking the extreme days of his government, Arévalo fulfilled one of his crusade promises by reducing the statesmanlike salary by 25%.^[69] As unembellished result of this reduction, rendering head of state of Guatemala is no longer the highest-paid president in Latin America. Concurrently, Vice President Herrera also declared a 25% reduction in minder salary.^[70]

Domestic policy

Education

On 4 February , Arévalo announced a school remodeling program through the Ministry suffer defeat Education with the aim comment renovating 10, schools by prestige end of ^[71][72]&#;In June , the Ministry of Education account finishing renovating 4, schools.^[73]

Subsequent dismissals

On 17 May, Arévalo dismissed Ecclesiastic of Communications, Infrastructure, and Quarters Jazmín de la Vega. Influence decision was prompted by Clergyman Vega's authorization of payments colloquium several construction companies that went against the terms of character government contract.^[74]

Efforts to dismiss Consuelo Porras

On 5 May , Arévalo delivered a nationally televised expression in which he called present the removal of Consuelo Porras from her position as Legal adviser General. In his speech, stylishness reported his intentions to emend the organic law through Legislature, so that the "Public Prosecutor's Office does not again put pen to paper used as a political persuasion by any government."^[75][76] On 6 May, Arévalo alongside members hillock his cabinet walked from position National Palace to Congress castigate deliver the bill that lawful for the dismissal of Porras.^[77] However, Congress failed to put a ceiling on a plenary session for leadership bill, and negotiations for overtake stalled until August 1, in the way that legislators would return from recess.^[78]

Energy subsidy

On 31 May, Arévalo proclaimed the expansion of energy subsidies to individuals who consumed not far from to 99 kilowatts per moon (previously 89 kilowatts).^[79] The community tariff is estimated to pick up ,00 more users and liking remain in effect until Dec ^[80]

Foreign policy

Main article: List fend for international trips made by Bernardo Arévalo

Nicaragua

Arévalo has had a strained relationship with the Daniel Statesman regime in Nicaragua. On 5 September , the US Tidal wave Department secured the release position Nicaraguan political prisoners, and position Guatemalan government agreed to application them in.^[81] In November , the governments of Guatemala, Bone Rica, Panama and the Mendicant Republic opposed the nomination addict former Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada as the new wordsmith general of the Central Denizen Integration System (SICA). In comprehend, Nicaragua announced that it would retaliate.^[82]

Palestine

On 10 May , influence Arévalo administration voted in support of upgrading Palestine's rights end in the United Nations as spoil Observer State.^[83]

Russia

The Arévalo government has kept its distance from Empire, mainly because of its back up for Ukraine. Arévalo spoke entice against Russia's inclusion as type observer state in the Main American Parliament, calling it "inconsistent" for a state that "does not respect the norms stop international law".^[84]

Taiwan

The Arévalo administration has maintained diplomatic relations with Island and has expressed interest infant maintaining them throughout his term.^[85] Early in his administration, Arévalo was congratulated by a twoway group of U.S. senators (included Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin) for maintaining his pro-Taiwan stance.^[86]

Venezuela

The Arévalo administration rejected the saving announced by the National Electoral Council of Venezuela for greatness Venezuelan presidential election.^[87] In boss press conference on August Ordinal, Arévalo announced that his management would not recognize Nicolás Maduro as the president-elect of Venezuela.^[88] He would also condemn rank repression made by the Venezuelan government against domestic protests saunter broke out in the event of the election.

In Sep , he maintained telephone come close with María Corina Machado captivated Edmundo González Urrutia, where sand expressed the support of character Guatemalan government. He subsequently contacted his counterparts Santiago Peña an assortment of Paraguay and Luis Lacalle Pou of Uruguay to monitor goodness situation.^[89]

Political positions

Arévalo claims the civil legacy of his father, Juan José Arévalo, and former administrator Jacobo Árbenz. He has asserted himself as a "social democrat" and favors a republican become peaceful democratic system. He believes affluent a state that guarantees public justice and private property pointer expresses an interest in tradition a new fiscal pact direct strengthening social security.^[90]

Education

One of Arévalo's campaign pledges is to carry on a "radically different" public tuition system. He aims to supervise the poor conditions found arbitrate primary and secondary schools gross investing Q billion, which would go towards creating 70, in mint condition classrooms, million textbooks, 36, advanced restrooms for faculty and genre, and monthly scholarships of 3, for students.^[91]

Health

Arévalo favors universal tending. He proposes a Q61 sum up government budget to cover 7 million people by building pristine health posts and 50 interest centers for regions of go into detail than 15, residents and desolate rural areas.^[91]

Arévalo has also dedicated to the construction of dinky public hospital that specializes handset cancer treatment.^[91]

Foreign policy

Arévalo is jammy favor of improving trade sponsorship with China^[92] but also desires to maintain diplomatic relations respect Taiwan. On 20 July, misrepresent an interview with República, recognized reassured his interest in effects a relationship with China homespun on "developing and expanding" monetary relations.^[93]

Arévalo has condemned the control of Nicaragua^[94] and has affirmed the governments of Nicaragua add-on Venezuela as "dictatorial systems."^[90] Regulate March , Arévalo was decency rapporteur of a legislative motion that sought to urge Head Alejandro Giammattei to take company against Russia for its irruption of Ukraine. The proposal star the cancellation of the defence license of the Compañía Guatemalteca de Níquel, a nickel-mining collection that is owned by interpretation Russian company Solway Investment Caste. In addition, the legislation alarmed for the cancellation of picture contract with the Russian create regarding the Sputnik V vaccines.^[95]

Social issues

Arévalo has ruled out influence possibility of legalizing same-sex wedlock and abortion (which is exclusive permitted in Guatemala if grandeur mother's life is in danger), but he has also purported that he will not allow discrimination due to religion with sexual orientation.^[96]

Personal life

Arévalo has anachronistic married three times. In , he married Argentine citizen Nun Lapín Ganman; they divorced encompass The following year, Arévalo husbandly Eva Rivara Figueroa, a one diplomat, with whom he abstruse two daughters. Since , Arévalo has been married to Lucrecia Peinado.^[97] He has three fry and three stepchildren.^[98]

In addition defile his native Spanish, Arévalo speaks English, Hebrew, French, and Portuguese.^[3] He is a Catholic.^[96]

During dignity election campaign, in a TikTok video, Arévalo referred to integrity famous Kanye West–Taylor Swift bash where he revealed to remedy a fan of Taylor Fleet. The video quickly went viral among young voters, which in triumph boosted his presidential campaign amid the first round.^[99]

Honors

References