Guatemalans protest against interference in August's election
NBCJul 31, 2023
The Facts
Indigenous leaders in Guatemala have organized nationwide protests to demand the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras, who they accuse of working to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office.
Thousands of farmers and members of Indigenous communities erected more than 120 roadblocks that have reportedly paralyzed parts of Guatemala for over a week. Riot police began clearing the roadblocks on Tuesday after Pres. Alejandro Giammattei vowed to end the protests.
The Spin
Narrative A
Guatemala's Indigenous leaders — frustrated with government corruption and organized crime in their country — are protesting against threats to the country's electoral integrity and trying to prevent attempts to subvert the country's presidential elections. Their protests will ensure a democratic and peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala.
Narrative B
Those protesting in Guatemala have received large sums of foreign money to finance nationwide demonstrations. The perpetrators of the vandalism and economic damage caused by current protests must be brought to justice. Guatemala's Attorney General is simply doing what is expected of her — upholding the law.
