Throughout the night of Wednesday the 17th the Guatemala Congress debated the 2021 Budget behind closed doors. Finally, by dawn of Thursday the 18th it had voted and approved the largest Budget in Guatemala’s history. A mouthwatering $13 Billion. It appears that only the ruling bloc were satisfied by the budget. Guatemalans waking up to this news were shocked to hear of spending cuts on health including Covid-19 treatment as well as education whereas the vast majority of the budget would be spent on large infrastructure projects. Guatemalans were angered because lawmakers approved $65,000 to pay for meals for themselves, but cut funding for coronavirus patients and human rights agencies including a worrying $2.5 million cut to the Human Rights Ombudsman. Later, and throughout the morning, numerous amendments arrived at the plenary session, but those of the opposition were rejected.
The approval was criticised by the parliamentary opposition, which expressed its rejection of the “opaqueness” of the procedure, in the early hours of the morning and as a matter of urgency, with no room for discussions and analysis of spending. The opposition said that the budget prioritises big infrastructure projects to be handled by companies with government connections and overlooks the social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The business community were concerned and generally came out against the budget. Communiques included that the budget lacks transparency, does not respond to the needs of the country, is incoherent with the situation of the pandemic and the aftermath of the climatic events Eta and Iota. That spending should generate programs that serve vulnerable populations and productive sectors, and that economic reactivation should not be at the cost of debt.
If the business community were “concerned” then by looking through Facebook, the people were by and large very very ANGRY. Protests were called for the coming weekend. Without doubt, the power of social media came into play and the results were huge.
Angry Protests in Guatemala
Over the weekend, protests were held throughout Guatemala, but it was in the Plaza de la Constitución, in front of the National Palace that a large protest of over 7000 people took place. In a sea of Guatemalan flags, people demanded the annulment of the 2021 Budget and the resignation of the President, Alejandro Giammattei. “Neither Eta and Iota together have the capacity to do as much damage to Guatemala as you do,” was the message to the Guatemalan Congress written on a placard carried by one protester.
Generally peaceful, events turned nasty when a group of protesters managed to get inside the Congress and set fire to parts of it until being dispersed by riot police. Tear gas was used by the riot police and streets around the Palace as well as the Plaza de la Constitución. This did not stop protesters returning on Sunday!
Undoubtedly the protests and the images and comments on social media rocked the powers that be. Firstly, the vice-president, Guillermo Castillo, offered to resign, telling Giammattei that both men should resign their positions “for the good of the country”. He also suggested vetoing the approved budget, firing government officials and attempting more outreach to various sectors around the country. Then the climbdown- This morning, the President of the Legislative Assembly Allan Rodríguez stated that the 2021 Budget has been suspended and will not be sent to the Executive Branch.
Guatemalans will be eagerly anticipating the revised 2021 Budget. And perhaps even more eagerly anticipating the future of President Giammattei.
Sources: Prensa Libre
Photo: Prensa Libre
