Veterinary doctor Rodolfo Chang described the re-election of Walter Mazariegos at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Usac) as a “fraud” and announced that he will take legal action to challenge the electoral process on April 8.
Chang, who was a candidate for rector for the Dignidad y Rescate Usac (DIRE) group, stated that he has a team of lawyers who seek to demonstrate irregularities in the election, including the exclusion of electoral bodies, the participation of councilors with expired positions and the nomination of an applicant without settlement, in reference to Mazariegos.
“What happened on April 8 is fraud disguised as an electoral process,” said Chang, who added that the situation reflects an “institutional capture” that weakens the rule of law.
The former candidate also highlighted the student participation in the voting and in the subsequent protests, which—as he indicated—have been massive and peaceful. In his opinion, these actions show the rejection of the university community to the process.
Chang stressed that USAC has a key role in the country’s institutions, since it participates in the integration of nomination commissions for the Supreme Court of Justice, Courts of Appeals, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the election of the attorney general, in addition to appointing magistrates to the Constitutional Court.
For this reason, he considered that the resolution adopted by the Constitutional Court regarding the electoral process will be decisive for the strengthening of the justice system in Guatemala.
“Guatemala needs institutions that generate trust, and that trust is built with resolutions in accordance with the law,” he stated.
The former candidate called on the university community and the population in general to maintain the defense of autonomy and legality at the state university.
Profile of Rodolfo Chang
Rodolfo Chang was elected candidate for rector of Usac by the DIRE group, ahead of the elections on April 8, 2026.
His appointment was made on March 26, 2026 during an assembly in which electoral bodies related to the movement participated. In that process he competed with other candidates, including Hada Alvarado and Marco Vinicio de la Rosa.
Chang has also been linked to the “Usac Takeover: Political Loot” case. In November 2023, he was captured along with other university actors for the occupation of facilities in 2022.
Subsequently, a judge linked him to trial for the crimes of usurpation and depredation of cultural property, although he ruled out other charges. He was released under alternative measures, while the case continues in the intermediate stage.
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