Guatemala: Why was Arévalo's inauguration delayed by nine hours? Summary

What we know

• Bernardo Arévalo de León, 64, was sworn in as Guatemala’s president during the early hours of Monday, after a nine-hour delay. The new leader considers the country’s "most urgent" issue to be the fight against corruption. During his first speech as president, he thanked the international community, the youth, and the indigenous peoples, and addressed topics such as education, migration and health.
• The delay in the inauguration in Congress occurred after Guatemala's top court ruled that lawmakers from Arévalo's Semilla party could take their seats as independents, a move that diminishes the party's presence and undermines the power of the president.
• In the face of uncertainty, several international leaders spoke out and called for the election results to be respected. Presidents, foreign ministers, and senior officials issued a statement endorsed by the European Union and read out by Luis Almagro, Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS). Leaders of several Latin American countries, including Colombia’s Gustavo Petro, Honduras’ Xiomara Castro de Zelaya, and Bolivia’s Luis Arce, also expressed their support for Arévalo.
• The tension in the Congress spilt onto the streets, where protests and clashes between the police and demonstrators unfolded. Protesters expressed their discontent over the delay in the inauguration and their exhaustion from months of attempts to prevent Arévalo from taking office.
• The delay was so prolonged that some leaders who had travelled to Guatemala for the inauguration, such as Chile's President Gabriel Boric, and Paraguay's President Santiago Peña, had to return to their countries.

What they said

During his inauguration speech, Arévalo said: "It fills me with deep honour to assume this high responsibility, demonstrating that our democracy has the strength to resist. And that through unity and trust, we can transform the political landscape in Guatemala".

He also stated: "This is the struggle we are facing in Guatemala and elsewhere in Central America and the world. Battles are being waged against new and old forms of authoritarianism that limit the aspirations of the people and betray their sovereignty. I am proud to say that the people of Guatemala are offering the world community an unexpected example of democratic conviction and resilience".

Just before midnight, the outgoing president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, posted on X: "Given the risk of reaching midnight without starting the ceremonies, I have just handed over the presidential symbols to the Congress so that I can be separated from office as established by the Constitution of the Republic".

Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who attended the inauguration, also commented on the situation and welcomed the outcome. "In the face of coups, the only valid and legitimate response is that of the people and the solidarity of the world," he shared on X, responding to a post that mentioned what happened in Guatemala.