The European Parliament adopted by 432 votes by 9, with 39 abstentions, a resolution on the attempt at a coup d’état in Guatemala.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, The Left groups and Members.
As a reminder, on 28 August 2023, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced the official results of the peaceful and well organised elections and declared Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera from the Movimiento Semilla as elected President and Vice-President of Guatemala following the 20 August 2023 presidential run-off. However, since then, Guatemala’s judicial and fiscal powers have tried to question the legitimacy of the election results and have tried to force another general election.
Parliament condemned the attempt at a coup d’état and the Office of the Public Prosecutor’s continuous efforts to overturn the results of the general and presidential elections in Guatemala, based on unsubstantiated allegations of fraud, and calls for an immediate end to these actions. It also rejected all politically motivated actions taken by some authorities, which clearly violate the Guatemalan Constitution, the rule of law, the integrity of the electoral process and the most basic principles of democracy, including the fundamental principle of separation of powers.
The resolution supports President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and calls for an orderly transition leading to his inauguration as the 52nd President of Guatemala on 14 January 2024. It calls on the competent authorities to reject the unacceptable attempts to overturn the electoral results, to ensure respect of the will expressed by Guatemalan citizens with their votes and to guarantee their civil and political rights, integrity and safety, including the right of elected officials to be duly installed in office, in compliance with international standards and the Guatemalan laws.
Parliament called on the Council to immediately adopt targeted restrictive measures, including asset freezes and travel bans, against those who are undermining the 2023 electoral process in Guatemala.