The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) has issued a condemnatory statement regarding the criminalisation and arrest of civil society leaders in Guatemala. The Pacto de Corruptos continues to use underhand ways to block the legal change over of power to the elected anti-corruption ticket of President-elect, Bernardo Arévalo, and Vice President-elect, Karin Herrera. This slow ‘legal coup d’état’ is being facilitated by the military and business elites as they seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the people of Guatemala and to avoid having to answer for their misdeeds.
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) strongly condemns the recent unlawful arrests of civil society leaders in Guatemala, including University of San Carlos (USAC) students and professors in the “Toma de la USAC: Botín Político” case by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP). It also condemns the politicization of the case in what appears to be an effort to subvert the results of the August 10, 2023 elections.
On the morning of November 16, 2023, the MP unveiled the “Toma de la USAC: Botín Político” case and ordered 31 raids and issued 27 arrest warrants against university professors, administrators, students, lawyers, journalists, and Jordán Rodas, who remains in exile. The MP is accusing them of aggravated assault, plundering cultural patrimony, sedition, and unlawful association.
The case is based on incidents following the May 14, 2021 election of Walter Mazariegos as rector of the USAC. Students and faculty of Mazariegos’ opponent, former Human Rights Ombudsman Jordán Rodas, were blocked from entering voting facilities on May 14th by anti-riot police, leading to charges of voting irregularities and prompting widespread protests. From May 2022 to June 2023, students and faculty occupied the campus to denounce the election process and demand respect for university autonomy.
Five individuals were taken into custody, including Ronald Chang Shum, dean of the USAC’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics; Alfredo Enrique Beber Aceituno, a professor of engineering at the USAC; Eduardo Velásquez Carrera, former dean and professor of economics at the USAC; and Javier de León Gómez, an USAC student of applied physics, and Marcela Blanco, a former Semilla Congressional candidate.
The MP is also seeking to lift the immunity of five current and future opposition members of Congress, as well as President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera, claiming that they incited the protests on social media. If their immunity is lifted, they could be arrested and prosecuted.
You can read the full statement here, LASA demands respect for academic freedom and the 2023 election results in Guatemala.
Categories: Corruption, Criminalisation, Guatemala, Impunity, Justice, Presidential Elections, Solidarity in Action
Guatemala Solidarity Network 
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