The protesters, who are gathered in more than 100 strategic points of the country, point out that Porras, along with several of her staff, want to carry out a coup d’état, following the raids by the Public Ministry on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and the withdrawal of election votes.

The coalition of organizations against impunity and corruption, ProJusticia, issued a statement in which they “repudiate that the State itself promotes violent acts in order to distort citizen protests and affect political adversaries,” and called for immediate and preventive action by the Human Rights investigator to ensure the effective protection of the rights and freedoms of the population.

The National Council of Businessmen urged President Alejandro Giammattei to abandon the divisive discourse and fulfill his role of national unity and social peace. “Instead of accusing the protesters of international conspiracies, he should request Porras’ resignation,” the entity said. “This is a decisive moment in our democratic history, therefore, we must remain firm and united, peacefully resisting corruption,” it concluded.

The Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce considered the situation in Guatemala as unsustainable due to the road blockades. Educational centers, shops, and other businesses remain closed as indigenous leaders and other forces continue their mobilization in defense of democracy.

jrr/oda/znc