Guatemala: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union

The European Union (EU) has been closely following developments in Guatemala since the second round of the Presidential election held on 20 August.

This election, observed by the EU Election Observation Mission (EOM), as well as other international and national observers, resulted in a clear victory for Bernardo Arévalo of the party Movimiento Semilla (MS), as certified by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), the country’s highest electoral authority.

The EU is deeply concerned over the continuing and persistent attempts to undermine these election results through selective and arbitrary legal and procedural actions that are not in line with Guatemala’s constitution nor with the international and regional standards that Guatemala has subscribed to.

These unacceptable actions led, in particular, by the office of the Chief Prosecutor (Ministerio Público) are trying to intimidate officials and judges and posing a grave threat to democracy in Guatemala. Of particular concern in this regard are the recent raids carried out in the offices of the TSE and seizure of electoral registers by the Special Prosecutor Against Impunity (FECI), the legal actions against magistrates of the TSE and attempts to secure the suspension of MS as a political party.

The EU reiterates its call on all Guatemalan institutions to fully respect the integrity of the electoral process and its outcome as clearly expressed by Guatemalan citizens. In addition, the EU calls on all Guatemalan state institutions and officials to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition of power, halt any actions that could jeopardise this, and to act in line with their responsibilities as enshrined in the Guatemalan Constitution and the fundamental principle of the separation of powers. Accountability should be sought for those obstructing a democratic transition.

Further actions to overturn the outcome of the elections and continued instrumentalisation of judicial and prosecutorial institutions to undermine democracy and the rule of law would have an impact on Guatemala’s relations with the EU.

The EU as a long-standing partner of Guatemala, remains fully committed to support inclusive and sustainable development in the country to the benefit of all. The EU stands ready to work closely with the administration of President-elect Arévalo on these and other shared priorities like the promotion of democratic governance and the rule of law, when he takes office in January 2024.