On March 1, a Baby Shower was organized at Casa Presidential, in which, according to records of the Ministry of Administrative and Security Affairs (SAAS), some 130 people would participate. The entity spent Q1 thousand 318.64 on ingredients to prepare breakfast.
During the activity, strawberries with chocolate, tricolor panacotas and vanilla cakes and dulce de leche were served, as revealed in a summons of the deputies of the will, opportunity and solidarity (you) with the secretary of the SAAS, Iván Carpio, who appeared along with several advisors.
When questioned, it was initially pointed out that it could be an error in the information. Subsequently, one of the advisors said that it was a family dinner, until finally the activity was recognized, although it was not explained if it was requested by President Bernardo Arévalo.
The president’s family lives at Casa Presidential, and in that way he has all the support in accordance with what the law dictates, which establishes that the SAAS must provide support in official and personal activities. “In that sense, it was a personal activity, in this case, a family activity,” Carpio said when approached by the press after the citation.
However, he indicated that Casa Presidential has no capacity to receive 130 people in the area for this type of event, so he considered that the attendees data contains an error. “That is a mistake that is there. That is, there are no 130 people in the area that is used for these activities. As indicated to deputy José Chic, it is a fact that we were going to confirm because they did not fit in that space,” he added.
In accordance with article 2 of the Law of the Ministry of Administrative Affairs and Security of the Presidency, the SAAS must guarantee the security, physical integrity and life of the President and Vice President of the Republic, as well as their respective families. In addition, you must provide logistical and administrative support in official and personal activities.
Feeding
During the citation, food spending was also questioned, since the annual item exceeds Q8 million. Last year, Q8 million 659 thousand 896 were budgeted for agents, the academy and the kitchen that serves the President of the Republic.
According to information sent by the SAAS to the deputies, Q5.3 million are spent on vegetables, fruits and other supplies; Q9 thousand 211.90 in bread; Q1.9 million in meats; Q5 thousand 552.10 in pasta; Q479 thousand 732.20 in eggs; Q12 thousand 558 in seafood; Q336 thousand 912.90 in cheeses and Q114 thousand 414.20 in drinks.
In fuel the expense amounts to Q3 million 559 thousand 554, including aircraft trips for the President of the Republic.
Carpio said that about 200 vehicles are in operation, since every year they must coordinate about 500 activities. To do this, they send a delegation that conducts a security study in the place that the president will visit.
How much does the food of the President of the Republic cost?
- Breakfast: Q32.98 on average
- Lunch: Q36.88
- Dinner: Q39.96
Security
Carpio was also questioned for not having filed complaints against people who, during the previous government, enjoyed security by the SAAS without being contemplated within the legal framework.
The deputies expressed doubts about the fact that the Secretary of Social Communication of the Presidency, Santiago Palomo, has this type of security, in addition to having personnel assigned by the National Civil Police.
According to Carpio, he was given security due to the position he held as executive director of the Presidential Commission against Corruption. He affirmed that he enjoys this benefit since February 2024, although the corresponding risk study was carried out until June.
However, the current executive director of the National Commission against Corruption, Julio Flores, does not have security of the SAAS, nor any other secretary.
Position
For his part, the Executive reported that the expenses of the activity were covered by the wife of President Bernardo Arévalo, Lucrecia Peinado.
“As the secretary indicated to the media after the citation, it was a family event in which the SAAS only provided the logistical and regular service support for the activities carried out in the presidential house. The costs of that activity were covered by the First Lady and not with SAAS funds,” said the authorities.