The Guatemala government backed down in the creation of the mandatory insurance for vehicles and announced on Wednesday, March 19 that it will repeal the agreements that established this regulation, which generated blockages and protests in various parts of the country.
In a publication on his social networks, President Bernardo Arévalo reported that agreements were reached with the sectors involved in the protests, with the aim of releasing roads.
In a video, the president said there were three agreements to restore mobility in the tracks.
“The necessary implementation of compulsory for transportation has generated understandable doubts in many homes, and these are added to legitimate discontent that today cause discomfort. I understand these doubts, I understand this discomfort. Therefore, today we have held 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,” said Arévalo.
The agreements reached are the following:
- The 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.
- We will work on the elaboration of a proposal for the general law initiative, because the current legal framework is outdated for the different current and future transport modalities.
- Agreements 46-2025, 47-2025, 48-2025 and 49-2025 will be repealed as new consensus are reached. This will allow the blockages and restore mobility throughout the country.
The president added that he turned instructions to expedite the processes.
“I have instructed the Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, so that, accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Transportation, (…) I immediately start this process. We invite the different sectors involved to participate in the effort,” said Arévalo.
In addition, he emphasized that accidents and deaths from traffic facts are one of the most felt tragedies in Guatemala.
“Traffic accidents are the main cause of death in the country and we must work to change this reality,” he added.
Arévalo also criticized those who are behind the protests and assured that measures will be taken against him.
“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 order, generating chaos and affecting thousands of families, as well as with the opportunistic political actors, many of whom were part of previous governments and whose corruption and incompetence led them to sacrifice the interest, well -being and security of the people. Guatemala Better, where road safety and our families are guaranteed, ”he concluded.