GUATEMALA CITY – Bernardo Arévalo has been sworn in as Guatemala’s new president, overcoming significant obstacles that threatened his anti-corruption campaign and unexpected electoral victory. As Arévalo assumes office, his challenges in delivering the long-awaited reforms that garnered support and propelled him to power remain daunting.
Who is Arévalo?
Arévalo, the son of former Guatemalan President Juan José Arévalo, is a 65-year-old leader with an impressive background. His father, known for his commitment to workers’ rights and the country’s Indigenous population, implemented crucial protections during his presidency. Bernardo Arévalo was born in Uruguay, where his father lived in exile following a CIA-backed coup in 1954. After returning to Guatemala as a teenager, he pursued higher education abroad, studying sociology and anthropology in Israel and the Netherlands. Arévalo also served as Guatemala’s ambassador to Spain and worked for the nongovernmental organization Interpeace in Geneva, pioneering peacebuilding efforts in Central America. Eventually, he became a founding member of the Seed Movement party, which propelled him to Congress in 2019 and ultimately to the presidency.
What are his goals?
Arévalo’s unexpected rise to power was fueled by a message of change, combating corruption, and an unwavering belief in Guatemala’s potential. In an interview after the first round of voting, Arévalo expressed his commitment to fighting corruption and recovering co-opted institutions. He pledged to dismantle the “corrupt system” and build a truly democratic and transparent government. Arévalo emphasized the importance of addressing Guatemala’s historic debt to its Indigenous peoples, expanding access to healthcare and education, and tackling the urgent challenge of climate change.
What challenges does he face?
Arévalo’s path forward is riddled with obstacles. Attorney General Consuelo Porras’s ongoing legal persecution poses a significant threat. Multiple investigations targeting Arévalo and his party, including allegations of encouraging a lengthy university takeover and irregularities in signature collection, demand his attention. Furthermore, the economic elites and drug traffickers who wield immense power in Guatemala may resist Arévalo’s efforts to dismantle corrupt networks. His plan to reinstate prosecutors and judges who fought against corruption, only to face exile due to Porras’s actions, adds to the complexities he must navigate.
In addition to these immediate challenges, Guatemala suffers from deep-rooted structural issues. Widespread poverty and limited employment opportunities force many Guatemalans to seek a better life in the United States. The most vulnerable segments of society bear the brunt of the worsening effects of climate change, including recurring droughts and floods.
Despite these obstacles, Arévalo’s presidency ushers in a sense of hope and potential for change in Guatemala. With determination and the support of the people, he aims to lead the country towards a brighter future.