The rectorship of the only public university in the country is still in dispute due to pending legal actions, which question the continuity of Walter Mazariegos as rector, but despite being a national issue, few political parties have taken a position.
On April 8, the Electoral Bodies of the University of San Carlos de Guatemala (Usac), made up of students, teachers and graduates, held their votes for the election of the rector for the period 2026-2030.
But the Higher University Council (CSU) did not accredit the majority of opposition voters, who could democratically expel Mazariegos from the Usac.
The non-participation of designated voters in internal election processes in faculties and professional associations gave an advantage to Mazariegos, which according to its detractors, was the same formula as in 2022 to carry out electoral fraud.
Now, days before his term ends and a new period must begin on July 1, some sectors have warned that Mazariegos does not have the qualities or qualities to continue in office.
Those who have been far from this matter have been the majority of the political parties, which had not established a position for or against the continuity of Mazariegos as rector of the USAC.
A few have been activated with subpoenas and audit requirements, such as Voluntad Oportunidad y Solidaridad (VOS), and others acted legally through their accredited deputies in Congress.
This June 25, during the monthly meeting of political parties with the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), some party representatives were consulted as they arrived at the call until shortly before the session began.
in favor
Of seven political parties consulted, three expressed themselves in favor of the result already validated by judicial resolutions; three more spoke out against it, considering a “rescue of the USAC” necessary; and one more preferred not to comment on the subject.
The three political parties in favor of the Usac electoral event are Vamos, Todos, and the Green Party, this one more recently created, but the first two with clear representation in Congress.
Luis Rodríguez, titular representative of the Vamos party, said that the case was politicized, stating that the election of the rector was carried out in accordance with the legislation.
“The processes that were carried out must be respected. You know that it was a process that was politicized, but it is really a process that was carried out in accordance with the law and there should not continue to be so much of a problem, but rather let things move forward and look for solutions for the country, not continue generating problems and delays in national politics,” he said.
For his part, Pedro Reina, deputy secretary of the Todos political party, recognizes the role of Usac for being the only public university, which should serve as an example for the rest of the study houses.
“The role of USAC should be to train professionals in values and so on. Regarding the political issue, it should be separated somewhat because the training should be apolitical for all students. I do not consider that two topics should be mixed, party politics and student politics, they should be separated,” he said.
When asked if he believed that Mazariegos’ election was in accordance with the law, he stated: “It is an issue that has already been decided in the Cortes, countless appeals have been raised, they have gone to the Constitutional Court (CC) and resolutions have already been issued. In my opinion, these situations should be resolved in the respective instances.”
Delia Bac, former deputy and general secretary of the Green Party, expressed a similar opinion, who indicated that the resolutions have already been issued by the CC.
“I am not a Sancarlist, I am a Landivarian. However, the CC is the highest authority in the country, and if the CC said that the rector could take over, we can expect him to take office more,” he indicated.
against
The political groups that expressed a position against the questioned Usac electoral process are Winaq, URNG-Maíz; and the new Serve party; while the Unionist Party chose not to comment on the matter.
“We were at the demonstration last Sunday supporting Usac, which is our only public university, but let us remember the influence of the University in the second-degree elections, it has a vital role and it is necessary to rescue it,” explained Adolfo García, head representative of the URNG – Maíz party.
For her part, Horalia Tomás, substitute representative of the Winaq party, explained that for the legality of the process it is necessary for the justice institutions that have pending appeals to resolve them.
“The rescue of our only house of studies, autonomy, is important. We must see all the unresolved resources, the bodies must resolve in favor of the people of Guatemala, the students are the voice of the people and the rescue of USAC is urgent,” he said.
While Leslie Lemus Lemus, substitute representative of the Servir party, considers that there are doubts and that the decision of the majorities in the electoral process of said house of studies has not been respected.
“We are extremely concerned, since the appropriate procedures have not been carried out, the feelings of the people have not been respected. As a graduate of USAC, it is worrying to see the situation in which the only public university in Guatemala finds itself,” she said.
Finally, Miriam Cardenas, head representative of the Unionist Party, assured that the group does not define positions in this type of cases, and that it now focuses on internal processes.
“Within political parties a public policy situation is covered and at this moment we are focused on the massive membership of the party, which has already reached the minimum number of members to participate in the next election, we focus on that and let the authorities and people involved in the USAC be the ones to determine their actions,” he concluded.