After two days of protests and blockages in different parts of the country, President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Wednesday, March 19 the repeal of the governmental agreements that established the implementation of the mandatory insurance for vehicles, of responsibility for third parties.
These are the textual words of the president:
Guatemalan and Guatemalans, I have been elected to boost necessary changes in our country and these changes are often difficult. We have a historical debt with transformations that many governments have refused to assume and today it has been a new working day in which we seek to guarantee these changes.
We have a historical debt to the population. For more than 30 years, previous governments disregarded the obligation to comply with the law and create guarantees for families that are faced with the tragic event of an accident that affects health or even the loss of a life. And with this is accompanied by the loss of livelihood in a home and hope in a family.
The necessary implementation of the mandatory transportation insurance has generated understandable doubts in many homes and these doubts are added to legitimate discontent that today generate discomfort. I understand these doubts, I understand this discomfort. That is why today we have sustained a dialogue with representatives of different organizations that have been involved in the protests as a result of which we have reached the following agreements.
Firstthe parties undertake to form a technical work table in which the regulations will be discussed to operationalize article 29 of the Traffic Law within a maximum period of one year.
AND secondwork on the elaboration of a Proposal for the General Law of Transportation because the current legal framework is outdated for the different current and future transport modalities.
Third, repeal the agreements 46 47 48 and 49-2025 as long as new consensus are reached. This will allow the blockages and restore normal mobility throughout the country.
I have instructed the Minister of the Interior Francisco Jiménez to accompany the Deputy Minister of Transportation -Fernando- Suriano Immediately open this process and invite the different sectors involved to participate in the effort. Recall that accidents and deaths from traffic facts are the most felt tragedies by the people of Guatemala. Traffic accidents are the main cause of death in the country and we have to work to change this rule.
For those who will not have any consideration, it is with the criminals who have taken advantage of the legitimate concern of the Guatemalans to attempt against public ordergenerating chaos and affecting thousands of families and for Opportunistic political actors, many of which were part of previous governments and whose corruption and incompetence made them sacrifice the interest, welfare and security of the people.
Guatemala needs to change and needs to take firm steps towards a better future where road safety and that of our families are guaranteed. I maintain the conviction that a new general transport law is the right way that we must travel together for the welfare of our country. Because the worthy people, it is first.
We have reached agreements for everyone’s well -being. pic.twitter.com/wna3ibxrmk
– Bernardo Arévalo (@Barevalodeleon) March 20, 2025