Guatemalan government calls for respect for state sovereignty amid electoral dispute

The government of Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei has issued a call to the international community to respect the sovereignty of states amidst an ongoing judicial dispute surrounding the recent elections held on June 25.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of respecting the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the Judiciary, and the Constitutional Court, which serves as the highest court in the country.

The call comes after the Constitutional Court ruled that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal should temporarily withhold the officialization of election results until voting records are reviewed.

This suspension has led to a period of uncertainty, including the delay in the renewal of the Judiciary and the departure of officials who should have left their positions four years ago.

The court’s decision has generated disagreement among various sectors in Guatemala, with criticism expressed by the European Union and the Organization of American States election observation missions.

The United States has also expressed deep concern over attempts by certain actors in Guatemala to interfere with the election outcome.

In its statement, the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the international community and invoked the principle of non-intervention in internal affairs.

In the first round of the presidential elections, Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope emerged as the winner, followed by Bernardo Arévalo de León of the Semilla party, who unexpectedly advanced to the second round.

The ruling party Vamos obtained a majority in Congress, while the second round of elections is scheduled for August 20, pending the officialization of the results by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.