Inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo
Stage of the Great Room "Efraín Recinos" in 2015
Date14 January 2024
LocationCentro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias, Guatemala City
Organized byMinistry of Foreign Affairs Secretariat of Social Communications of the Presidency
ParticipantsBernardo Arévalo
52nd President of Guatemala
—Assuming office

Karin Herrera
18th Vice President of Guatemala
—Assuming office

Samuel Pérez
President of the Congress of Guatemala
—Administering oath
Websitewww.tmp2024.gob.gt

The inauguration of Bernardo Arévalo as the 52nd president of Guatemala on Sunday, 14 January 2024, will mark the commencment of the four-year term of Bernardo Arévalo as president and Karin Herrera as vice president.[1][2] The inaugural ceremony will take place at Centro Cultural Miguel Ángel Asturias in Guatemala City and will be the eighth presidential inauguration held in the Great Room "Efraín Recinos."[2][3] However, lack of approval for a congressional delegation would result in the ceremony being delayed.[4]

Context

The inauguration will mark the end of the presidential transition of Bernardo Arévalo, who became president-elect after defeating Sandra Torres in the second round of the 2023 Guatemalan general election on 20 August 2023. According to official results, he obtained 61% of the votes, a landslide victory.[5]

Arévalo is the son of Juan José Arévalo, the 24th president of Guatemala from 1945 to 1951, making him the first son of a former Guatemalan president to be elected president.[6]

Planning

Preparations and invitations

The swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Arévalo and Vice President-elect as well as the logistics of the activities was planned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency, and Congress' Commission of Protocol. Diplomat and former ambassador Iván Espinoza Farfán was selected as the general coordinator of the commission.

A press conference was given on 18 December by Espinoza Farfán and Kevin López Oliva, secretary of social communication of the Presidency in which the full schedule of inaugural events was revealed as well as a web platform so that media could accredit the journalists designated to cover the ceremony.[7][8] That same month, invitations began to be sent to heads of state and government. A total of 28 heads of state were invited.[1]

Security

The National Civil Police (PNC) has collaborated with other institutions such as the Municipal Transit Police (PMT) of Guatemala City and the Guatemalan Armed Forces to ensure tranquility and a secure environment.[9] According to Minister of the Interior, Byron René Bor Illescas, a total of 9,000 PNC agents will be deployed and cover strategic points such as the National Palace of Culture, the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center, Congress, and the Metropolitan Cathedral.[10] Colonel Rubén Téllez, the spokesperson for the Guatemalan military, indicated that more than 28 thousand soldiers will help assist with the security measures.[11]

Transit restrictions and site closures

The PMT began a 'special operation' on 12 January that included events and protocol acts in different parts of Guatemala City. Some initiatives include:

  • The dispatch of 800 traffic agents.[12]
  • The deployment of 5,000 temporary street signages.[12]
  • Modifications to traffic regulations at key points where preparations and protocol acts will be developed, these being: the hotel area in Zone 10, Historic Center and Civic Center, and the Plaza de la Constitución ('Constitution Plaza').[12]

Inaugural events

Pre-inaugural events

On 13 January, invited heads of states are scheduled to arrive in the country. Due to the number of guests, some will arrive through La Aurora International Airport and others through the headquarters of the Guatemalan Air Force.[7][8]

Hours later, President Alejandro Giammattei will receive the guests inside the National Palace and offer a banquet.[7][8]

On the morning of 14 January, the 10th Legislature of the Congress of the Republic will be sworn in and elect the President of the Congress. Additionally, the new Board of Directors of the Congress and appointments to the Label Commissions will also be made. The final government report of the Giammattei administration will also be read.[1]

Ceremony

Musicians from the Guatemalan Army Martial Symphonic Band will play Ruffles and flourishes and sing the national anthem.[13] The music ensemble is also expected to perform "La Granadera" (the official anthem of the president) as Arévalo enters the building.

Outgoing president Alejandro Giammattei has not confirmed nor ruled out whether he will attend the ceremony.[14] The new President of Congress along with the board of directors and the rest of the deputies of Congress will relocate to the Great Hall of "Efrain Recinos." The invited heads of state are expected to enter shortly after. President-elect Arévalo will then make their presence in the room. Presidential attributes will be given to the President of Congress so that then the oath is administered to President-elect Arévalo and Vice President-elect Herrera.[1][7][8]

Oaths of Office

The President of the Congress will administer the oath of office to Herrera and Arévalo.[15] The Oath consists of three questions which are the following:

"[Citizen], do you swear before God and by your honor as a Guatemalan citizen, to be faithful, loyal and obedient to the Constitution of the Republic [of Guatemala], comply with it and ensure [its fulfillment] [that it is complied with]?

Do you swear to strengthen the rule of law, and for this purpose to comply with, respect, and ensure compliance with the laws of the nation?

Do you swear to fulfill with patriotic love the position of president of the Republic for which you have been [directly and popularly] elected?"

Upon completing the oath, Arévalo will be vested with the presidential sash, the necklace containing the keys to the Constitution, and the presidential pin.

Inaugural address

President Arévalo will deliver his inaugural address to the nation on the presidential balcony of the National Palace of Culture.[16] Vice President Herrera will also give a speech.[7]

At night, President Arévalo will swear in his cabinet inside the National Palace in the Banderas room and take their official portraits. Then, Arévalo together with Vice President Herrera will receive the guests and offer a banquet.[7]

Subsequent activities

On 15 January, President Arévalo will attend a Te Deum in the Metropolitan Cathedral where Archbishop Gonzalo de Villa y Vásquez will deliver the sermon.

A few hours later, President Arévalo will be presented to the Armed Forces and the National Civil Police at the Constitution Square as their new Commander General and Superior Officer. The Minister of Defense will present Arévalo with the baton of the Armed Forces and a 21-gun salute will be discharged in his honor.[7][8]

In the afternoon, President Arévalo and Vice President Herrera will attend a religious thanksgiving service in the Central Presbyterian Evangelical Church.[8]

Delay of ceremony

On 14 January, the ceremony was delayed, with the Congressional leadership commission overseeing the inauguration not approving a congressional delegation.[17][4] Prior to the delay, the ceremony had been scheduled to start at 3:00 pm local time.[18]

International guests

Heads of State and Government

Confirmed

Invited

The President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele was invited, however, he has been absent from his presidential duties since December 2023, as he did not participate in the inauguration of Javier Milei of Argentina.[1]

Other guests

Confirmed

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Al menos 28 jefes de Estado serán invitados a la toma de posesión de Bernardo Arévalo y Karin Herrera". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). 24 November 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Cancillería recibe primeras confirmaciones para ceremonia de cambio de mando". La Hora (in Spanish). 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  3. ↑ "La transmisión de mando presidencial en la historia". Prensa Libre (in Spanish). 13 January 2019. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 D., Sonia Pérez (14 January 2024). "Guatemalans angered as president-elect's inauguration delayed by wrangling in Congress". Associated Press. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "Progressive Arévalo is 'virtual winner' of Guatemala election after corruption angered voters". AP News. 20 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Juan José y Bernardo Arévalo, primeros padre e hijo en ser Presidentes de Guatemala". www.soy502.com (in Spanish). 22 August 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Gobierno da detalles de las actividades y agenda para la Transmisión de Mando Presidencial 2024" (in Spanish). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Transmisión de Mando Presidencial 2024: cuál es la agenda del sábado 13, domingo 14 y lunes 15 de enero para la investidura de Bernardo Arévalo" (in Spanish). 18 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "¿Cómo Será La Seguridad En La Transición De Mando Entre Giammattei Y Bernardo Arévalo? - La Red 106.1 FM". www.lared1061.com (in Spanish). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Gobernación refuerza seguridad para la transmisión de mando". Ministerio de Gobernación (in Spanish). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  11. ↑ Más de 28.000 militares y policías garantizarán seguridad en la toma de posesión en Guatemala (in Spanish), 12 January 2024, retrieved 14 January 2024
  12. 1 2 3 "Restricciones de tránsito del 12 al 15 de enero por la toma de posesión de Bernardo Arévalo como presidente de Guatemala" (in Spanish). 11 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  13. ↑ Hernández, Karla (13 January 2024). "Toma de Posesión: Preparativos en la Sala Efraín Recinos del Teatro Nacional para 14 de enero". Tv Azteca Guatemala (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  14. ↑ "Giammattei presenta último informe y Presidencia no confirma ni descarta su participación en toma de posesión de Arévalo" (in Spanish). 12 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "El juramento: ¿a qué se compromete un presidente?". Plaza Pública (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  16. ↑ "¿Por qué Bernardo Arévalo saludó desde el Balcón Presidencial del Palacio Nacional?". www.soy502.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  17. ↑ Menchu, Sofia (14 January 2024). "Tensions high outside Guatemala Congress as inauguration sessions delayed". Reuters. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  18. ↑ "Tensions in Guatemala Congress delay Arevalo's presidential inauguration". France 24. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
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