Business cameras interpose amparos and claim that blockages affect the supply and damage the economy

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April 28, 2025April 28, 2025By Mario Vásquez
Business cameras interpose amparos and claim that blockages affect the supply and damage the economy

The Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF), and separate the Chamber of Commerce of Guatemala (CCG), have presented amparos before the Constitutional Court (CC), because it is sought that the fundamental rights of the population be respected, including locomotion.

Recently, the CC granted the provisional protection to the Chamber of Commerce, where it refers that the necessary measures are dictated and executed to guarantee the free exercise of the rights of free locomotion, peaceful and manifestation meeting, as well as freedom of thought.

The demonstrations and blockages were announced by the Peasant Development Committee (CODECA) on Friday, April 25 against the “criminalization” in the country, for the capture of Luis Pacheco, former president of the 48 cantons of Totonicapán and current Vice Minister of Sustainable Development of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) and Héctor Chaclán, former manager of said community organization and also a worker in said ministry.

The Cacif reported that it presented the amparo in the face of the risk of blockages to protect the fundamental rights of the population.

Among these mentions the freedom of locomotion, access to work, health and education are fundamental human rights, recognized by the Political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala.

The business organization adds that “to manifest peacefully and within the legal framework is a right; block roads and restrict free traffic, in any circumstance, it is not.”

In a statement he adds that blockages are illegal and violate fundamental rights, They affect the supply of basic goods and damage everyone’s economy, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, In addition, no protest can justify the obstruction of public roads, prevent the passage of people, products and services.

Now, they expect the Court to protect them, but also call “respectful and firm the authorities so that, in fulfillment of their constitutional duty, they guarantee social peace, respect for fundamental rights and the normal functioning of national life.”

Meanwhile, the CCG disseminated a similar message, indicating that it recognizes and respects the constitutional right to the peaceful manifestation, as a fundamental pillar of all democracy, but that expressed its “total rejection of the blockade of roads and other public roads as a means of protestsince these actions seriously affect the rights of all citizens. ”

Apart from the right to free locomotion, mentions the right to work, industry and commerce, Access to education and health services as well as the safety and well -being of the population.

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“The exercise of a right cannot lead to the violation of the rights of others. As citizens, we must express our legitimate demands without harming each other or put the order and social peace at risk,” adds the commercial sector in the statement.

It coincides in making “a firm call” to the government authorities to fulfill the duty to guarantee the rights of all citizens and preserve public order, acting as ordered by their constitutional mandate and current laws.

The American Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce (Amcham Guatemala) also spoke this Monday, April 28, calling for road blockages and respect for the law since the demonstrations They affect the mobility of thousands of citizens, carriers, merchants and the development of essential activities for the Guatemalan economy.

They express concern about the blockages registered on the main roads and important points for the trade and mobility of the country.

Amcham also calls on the authorities to guarantee compliance with the provisional amparo granted by the CC, which, they refer, protects the fundamental rights of Guatemalans.

And, the people who express are called to do so peacefully and without hindering the roads and rights of citizens.

Among the blockages, some are reported on the main traffic traffic In Izabal, El Progreso, Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez, San Marcos, Quiché, Totonicapán, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, San Rosa, Petén, Alta Verapaz, Baja Verapaz and Guatemala, Amcham added.

The Guatemala Agro Chamber (Camagro) spoke on Sunday night, April 27, indicating that “it is peacefully manifest is a right. Blocking the country is not.”

The organization refers that the country needs substantive solutions and mutual respect and No outputs that are based on harming most citizens.

He adds that you have the right to demand, but with dialogue, in addition that the institutions fulfill their functions and ensure efficient execution of the budget for the investment to be provided, the roads are maintained, that the medical teams of the hospitals work.

Codca announced on its social networks a list of the 20 points of the country where there will be mobilizations this Monday, April 28. Around 9.30 in the morning they warned that the only way they would unlock is whether President Bernardo Arévalo attends them.

The Guatemala Chamber of Industry (CIG) also spoke on Monday, rejecting the measures that qualify as illegal and coincide with Cacif and CCG that are violated fundamental rights of the Guatemalans and They prevent the realization of their daily activities.

“We respect the right of peaceful manifestation, but alter public order and prevent free locomotion, should not be the way to be heard,” said the CIG adding that it has been frequent to resort to these blockages to show disagreement and demand changes, which blocks activities of the country.

“Having a paralyzed country affects us all,” added the organization of the industrial sector and called on the authorities to fulfill their mandate and guarantee the protection of the rights of Guatemalans.

Estimation of losses

On March 20, 2025, the CCG, its trade unions and subsidiaries presented that the impact for the entire national economy, depending on the gross domestic product (GDP), It is estimated at Q600 million for each day of locking.

They added that on that occasion about five thousand containers face problems because they were stranded in the midst of citizen protests.

The Guatemala Chamber of Industry (CIG), reported in March, that according to a calculation of the CA-BI Analytics firm, the country’s productive time has a value of Q130 million; that is to say, There are Q130 million losses in sales per hour in all productive activities in the country.

Of this, the industry represents 20%, which means that, On a lock day, more than Q200 million losses in the production chain are faced.

The blockages, in that week, also included various sections in the metropolitan area, unlike the current ones.

On March 20, 2025, the CCG, its unions and subsidiaries presented that The impact for the entire national economy, depending on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is calculated in Q600 million for each day of blocking.

They added that on that occasion about five thousand containers face problems because they were stranded in the midst of citizen protests.

The established protocols will be activated

Meanwhile, the Minister of the Interior, Francisco Jiménez, spoke on his social networks.

“The right to demonstrate is guaranteed by our Constitution, and as authorities we are respectful and guarantors of that fundamental right. It is also the duty of the State to safeguard free locomotion, security and rights of all people,” said the official on April 27.

He said that the CC issued an amparo that Precisely instruct security forces to guarantee free transit in the national territory.

He added that “from the Ministry of the Interior we recognize that there are tensions, where different social sectors denounce affectations to their fundamental rights, including the exercise of protest, freedom of expression and political participation. We are aware of these concerns and reiterate our commitment to respect for human rights and the rule of law. In this sense, the Ministry of the Interior reiterates its commitment to act according to the constitutional mandate: to simultaneously protect the right to manife Locomotion In the event that the manifestations derive from blockages that affect the free transit, the established protocols will be activatedalways prioritizing dialogue, negotiation and unrestricted respect for human rights. ”

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