An official letter dated April 13, sent by the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) to deputies of the bloc Will, Opportunity and Solidarity (VOS) after a summons, confirms that the Executive has not issued instructions to take legal action for the re-election of Walter Mazariegos as rector of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Usac)in a process that student and social sectors point out as fraudulent.
In the document, the PGN details that it requested information from the Public Ministry (MP) about complaints presented by the Comptroller General of Accounts against university authorities, with the objective of establishing whether the facts affect the interests of the State.
However, the central point is that the institution recognizes that, “at the moment he has not received instructions to take legal action”. The letter adds that, if the origin is determined, it will act in accordance with the provisions of article 252 of the Constitution and functions established in its organic law.
As background, during the summons made that same morning, delegates from the Comptroller’s Office confirmed that Mazariegos is not the only one accused, but that other 24 people from the Higher University Council (CSU) They also appear in complaints for possible irregularities in hiring and resource management.
The actions were presented at the end of March of this year before the Prosecutor’s Office, after those involved failed to dispel previously detected findings.
According to what was stated by the deputies, these complaints would even have implications on the settlement – proof of non-existence of claims for positions – required to apply for public positions, which has intensified questions about the legality of the process at the university.
Pressure on the Executive
In parallel, Deputy José Chic sent a letter to President Bernardo Arévalo in which he questions the lack of actions of the Executive in the face of the crisis in the USAC.
In the document, the legislator points out that the current situation of the university reflects possible violations of the law, the institutional order and the rights of students and teachers, and recalls the president’s previous relationship with the university community. “[…] Has the position of President silenced your critical conscience regarding acts of human rights violations?”questions the congressman.
Furthermore, it refers to the legacy of Juan José Arévalo Bermejo in the consolidation of university autonomy and founding the Faculty of Humanities, in contrast to the current context.
The deputy expressly requests that the president instruct the PGN to act “immediately” in defense of legality “restore the legal order and protect the interests of the university community.”
Executive Posture
For his part, President Arévalo indicated that it is up to the justice system to resolve challenges related to the electoral process in the USAC.
The president ruled out any agreement with Mazariegos and pointed out that the judicial authorities will be in charge of investigating the complaints and determining the legal status of the process.
“It is absolutely false. There has not been nor will there be any agreement above the table or below the table with Walter Mazariegos”he said that Monday at the morning press conference.
Sancarlistas denounce threats and Landivarians speak out
Students from the Northern University Center (Cunor-Usac) publicly denounced an escalation of harassment against them in the midst of the takeover of facilities.
They claim that teachers have promoted intimidation actions, including threats about the loss of courses and the illegal collection of personal data of those who participate in the movement.
In addition, they warned about a worsening of the situation by reporting death threats recently received from a telephone number, which, they indicate, escalates the conflict. They point out that these practices seek to curb their academic demands and weaken student protest.
Meanwhile, organized students from the Rafael Landívar University, identified as the “Landivarians” collective, expressed their rejection of the irregularities pointed out in the process of electing the rector of the USAC and expressed their solidarity with the Sancarlista community.
They consider that the crisis affects the country’s university democracy and that universities cannot remain on the sidelines in a scenario marked by complaints of exclusion and lack of transparency.
In their statement, they called on the rector of the Rafael Landívar University, Father Miquel Cortés Bofill, to assume a public position in defense of democratic institutions, not to recognize the appointment of Walter Mazariegos and to support the demand for a new electoral process.