Until the last day, in the last hours, maneuvers in Congress delayed the inauguration, even before more than 60 delegations were present in the country, but the politician finally swore allegiance to the Constitution as president.
In his first words to the nation, the sociologist and former diplomat expressed that “we are progressing on the path that many of us have taken so hard, marking a great milestone thanks to democratic practice.”
“Showing the strength necessary to resist, and that through unity and trust we can change the political landscape in Guatemala, fills me with deep pride,” he added.
The Head of State believes that basic institutions such as the Supreme Electoral Court and the Constitutional Court protect the sovereign desire of Guatemalan citizens to live in democracy.
He extended his special thanks to those who have led the country to this important moment: to the youth of Guatemala who have not lost hope.
He added: “To the families who believed in a different future and did not surrender to deception and lies, in addition to the leadership of our ancestors, to the four peoples, from whom I never stop learning and appreciating every day.”
After the ceremony, Arevalo and Karen Herrera, his running mate, received the leaders of the delegation and delivered a speech early Monday in the central Constitution Square in this capital.
Change could be difficult, the president told hundreds of citizens, who predicted that the administration would need to make difficult decisions and would face moments of doubt.
The 65-year-old academic and writer warned, “Today begins four years that will be full of obstacles that we cannot imagine at this moment.”
In a mass held in the capital's cathedral, Archbishop Gonzalo de Villa considered the challenge of forming a new Congress and government a reason for hope and joy.
After participating with Herrera in a Mayan ceremony, Arevalo pushed for the creation of a functional anti-corruption mechanism, at the expense of the commission created by former president Alejandro Giamatti.
He expressed his commitment to the National Civil Police, while stressing that he would work to establish merit-based promotion processes and break down the political practices that have affected that institution over the years.
When the appointments of deputy ministers and other officials attracted media attention, the Central Committee ordered the unicameral Congress to re-elect its governing body.
The coalition formed by Semilla, now headed by Néry Ramos replacing Samuel Pérez, maintained control of the legislature over an increasingly weak opposition, which despite its claims this time did not offer form.
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