Rodolfo Chang, a member of Usac-Dire, maintains that the Constitutional Court can still correct the crisis at the University of San Carlos by resolving the pending actions regarding the election of the rector. In an interview, he also questions the inauguration of Walter Mazariegos, points out alleged illegalities in the process and calls for respect for the rule of law and legal certainty.
How do you take the self-proclamation of Walter Mazariegos as rector of the Usac?
We consider that the process It is still illegal. We consider that some chambers still have decisions in their hands that could annul the electoral process of April 8. He (Mazariegos) hastily made this inauguration illegal, phantom and fictitious. It was a more media activity in order to run and demonstrate that he is the rector, but that is not the case.
We will continue working from peaceful demonstrations and from the judiciary, although we will also We are concerned because the rule of law and legal certainty are not being respected. But we continue to believe in the Guatemalan judicial system and we have faith that a right of law can be applied.
He will feel like he is the rector, but he is committing an illegality and the worst thing is that he has accomplices in the CSU, because they are the ones who, in the long run, have to respond legally, because the vote of each one of them He is the highest authority of the University of San Carlos of Guatemala.
The response of the judicial system and the Constitutional Court
How does that hope clash with the resolutions reached so far?
We have faith in the judicial system of Guatemala and we hope that the actors respect the jurisprudence and do not make a mistake, and that, as a Guatemalan society, as graduates of San Carlos who are, at least those of the CC, They should reflect on the damage they are doing to USAC for not ordering, from a legal point of view, that fraud that occurred on April 8.
It is in the hands of the Constitutional Court to correct the university crisis, especially the negative effect it has on society, that the message of a public and autonomous university, which can elect its own authorities and which applies the law at the national level to have its own authorities. We believe that they are going to make a correct decision to throw out this great fraud; Everyone saw the fraud, only they don’t seem to understand.
Do you consider that the CC has responsibility in managing the time to resolve actions regarding the elections and the settlement requirement?
They have to determine that. Of course today Mazariegos will be able to say that should not have a settlementbut for every public official who manages State funds, from our taxes, the University of San Carlos of Guatemala has Q3,500 million annually, and For someone to say that a rector or a university official should not have a severance pay or be held accountable, that is completely illogical and dangerous for Guatemala.
Thus, any public official will say that, since they already exempted a public official, such as the rector of the University of San Carlos in Guatemala, well, now let’s exempt everyone from the settlement.
So, the probity law is going to fall to the ground and that is definitely dangerous, not only for the University of San Carlos, but for the entire country. Let’s think about the election process at the University of San Carlos in Guatemala; If it continues on this course, from the point of view of legal certainty, it is dangerous for the country. Let’s imagine, for example, that the next elections in Guatemala depend only on what the CC resolves.
The role of the Higher University Council
And another negative and more worrying message, Chang points out, is that “the academy is falling to the ground” for the same actions of the CSU. They are the most responsible for what is happening because they are the highest authority and they do not have the courage to oppose the situation that is happening in the USAC, they are letting illegal things pass, incorrect things and damage to the university, especially in the training of our graduates.
If they don’t see that, more than anything for political interests…
To what do you attribute the lack of courage of the CSU members who support Mazariegos?
There could be two things: he could be extorting them with some situation, or some situation where he has them with a bruised tail.
For this reason, we ask the CC to act, the chambers, the MP, which has 17 complaints out there. What happened yesterday (Wednesday), that a young man suffered injuries to his face, will need surgery because his retina is falling off due to the blow he received.
And the young people were in front of the university demonstrating peacefully and from inside the university the attack began with water, fire extinguishers, stones… and that’s how they hit the boy, when everyone decided to retreat and even the Police ran away. That is why we also demand that the Minister of the Interior take measures now.
And well, if at the State level we cannot protect the University of San Carlos of Guatemala, we are asking all international organizations, as the OAS has already expressed, the European Union is already demonstrating, Flacso and many international organizations are demonstrating against the crisis that the University of San Carlos of Guatemala is experiencing.
The president must use his influence to achieve “good”
What is expected from the Public Ministry, from the attorney general?
Let them investigate, simply. We do not ask for favors, we do not ask for anything to be invented, as happened in the previous Public Ministry. If any incorrect, corrupt or illegal act is being committed, then act in accordance with the law. We do not ask that some be persecuted and criminalized, as they did with us, who invented everything to be able to do it.
President Bernardo Arévalo also waits in the courts. Does it seem enough to you?
Well, it could be, it could be enough, but I think, with all due respect, that this is not something that can be asked so easily, but use your influence, but for good.
There are many who use their power and influence to do evil and someone must use their power and influence for good. And the good for us is to rescue the University of San Carlos de Guatemala.
This is not an internal problem, but a university crisis, from the point of view of education and from the democratic point of view.
The new way of manifesting and occupying spaces
There have been several actions by the university community, but there are those who miss “the old Usac”, with massive demonstrations and strong actions. How do you observe that change?
Moments change. Today many demonstrations take place through social networks. Telephones, today, are a means to demonstrate and I think it is necessary to respect this new culture of demonstration, where 8 thousand people talk about the topic of why we don’t remove Mazariegos from the rectory. Public demonstrations are currently taking on another dimension.
We are very clear and aware. If there is a personal mobilization and public demonstrationa, take to the streets, we ask, demand and pray to God that they be peaceful.
Guatemala cannot fall back into a position of confrontation like what is happening inside the university and what this man is doing from inside the university, outwards, throwing stones and throwing water at them and throwing gas from fire extinguishers at the students.
We continue to demand that the law be respected, that the rule of law be respected and that we have legal certainty so that Guatemala truly lives in peace and lives in peace. We ask that the Usac be returned to us to normalize the institutions and begin with an academic development project that Guatemala deserves.
We cannot return to the years where violence was manifested. The University of San Carlos must recover your impact space otherwise, through demonstrations on public issues, such as the rise in fuel prices or so many abuses.
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