The disagreement for the Increased salary of deputies of the Congress of the Republic persists between various groups, such as a transport union and the representation of indigenous peoples of the 48 cantons of Totonicapánwho reaffirmed their rejection of the benefit for the congressmen and also announced that they will take measures.
The Extra -urban passenger transport union (Gretexpa) maintains its critical position against the salary increase and announced that it will reduce the transport of transport units until it will completely provide it during the Easter week.
In an urgent statement, the Board of Directors of the Transportation Sector demanded that officials leave the salary increases, considered “Excessive” and “Disconnected” of the economic reality of the country.
The union also criticized the lack of empathy and congruence of officials with the majority of the Guatemalan population, which faces economic and social difficulties.
Gretexpa’s decision to reduce the service of transport units could affect thousands of people who depend on public transport to mobilize in the country.
This Tuesday, April 1, 2025, after noon, the 48 cantons of Totonicapán also announced protests and pressure measures.
In addition to warning that they will restrict the entry of trucks from beverage companies, they mentioned a possible closure of the main shopping center and other establishments in that department of the southwest of the country.
One of the leaders explained that they were aware that the Congress of the Republic has paralyzed its agenda just after having suspended the increase.
The leaders indicated that they consider the suspension of the increase insufficient and demand their definitive elimination.
The vice president of the 48 cantons, Simeona Leticia Zapeta Soch, who represents Canton Juchanep, said: “While we value this first step, we consider that simple suspension is not enough, so we demand the immediate repeal of the decree, since this represents an unfair and disproportionate decision in a context of economic crisis and precariousness in the basic services of the population.”
Zapeta added that they require the President of the Republic Bernardo Arévalo to meet community needs and denounced the lack of dialogue with the indigenous authorities.
They also rejected the measure of the Superintendence of Tax Administration (SAT) on the Tax Identification Number (NIT). They questioned the automatic conversion of the Personal Identification Document (DPI) in NIT without prior consultation to indigenous peoples.