Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo Criticized for Lack of Progress in First 100 Days

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo faced criticism on Tuesday for showing "little action" in his first 100 days in office. At an event marking the milestone, Arévalo acknowledged the challenges his administration faces and the need for more progress on key issues.

In a report presented at the event, Arévalo highlighted some achievements, including a 13% reduction in crime, the dismantling of 39 organized crime structures, and the filing of 34 corruption complaints in the public administration. He also announced a 25% reduction in his own salary, which was previously one of the highest in Latin America.

However, Arévalo has not been able to fulfill his campaign promise of removing Attorney General Consuelo Porras, whom he accuses of criminalizing officials who fought corruption. While Arévalo campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, his administration has focused more on combating extortion and drug trafficking rather than implementing comprehensive anti-corruption measures.

Arévalo inherited a weak judicial system and a Congress where his party holds a minority, making it difficult to pass anti-corruption reforms. Despite his initial anti-corruption maneuvers, Arévalo's long-term success in tackling corruption remains uncertain as he faces a challenging struggle against entrenched interests and a hostile attorney general's office.

Why this matters: Guatemala has long struggled with endemic corruption, which has hindered economic development and fueled social unrest. Arévalo's ability to deliver on his anti-corruption promises will be a key test of his leadership and could have significant implications for the country's future stability and prosperity.

While some citizens remain skeptical about seeing significant changes, others are hopeful that Arévalo's administration will bring positive developments in the future. As one citizen noted, "We expect the government to take more forceful measures to effectively combat corruption in the country." The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Arévalo can overcome the obstacles he faces and make meaningful progress in his anti-corruption agenda.

Key Takeaways

• Guatemalan President Arévalo faces criticism for lack of progress in first 100 days.
• Arévalo highlights achievements like crime reduction, organized crime dismantling, and corruption complaints.
• Arévalo unable to fulfill campaign promise of removing Attorney General Porras.
• Arévalo's anti-corruption efforts focus on extortion and drug trafficking, not comprehensive reforms.
• Arévalo faces challenges from weak judiciary, hostile Congress, and entrenched interests in tackling corruption.