A Political Tidal Wave…So What?

Unless you have been completely disconnected from all news sources for the last five months, you are likely aware of the uprising that has occurred among the people here in Guatemala. This groundswell movement against corruption has led to the resignations and arrests of both the Vice-president and President. In case you have missed it, allow me to fill you in on events.

Back in April the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala released its findings of an investigation that had been going on for nearly two years. Hundreds of wire tapped conversations and documents exposed a bribery scheme called “La Linea” (The Line). In this scheme, government officials and their accomplices were receiving bribes in return for lowering import taxes on businesses. For example, a business might owe a Q.50,000 import tax on goods being brought into the country. But officials would arrange a secret deal that would allow the business to lower their taxes to Q.25,000 if they would make a discreet payment of Q10,000 to a certain representative. Through this scam, millions of dollars was pocketed by corrupt officials, and many millions more were denied to the nation of Guatemala. And arrests began to happen.

Such corruption is rather commonplace in Guatemala. It happens all the time. But a few things made this instance different:

1. The size and scope of the theft. As already stated, millions of dollars were stolen and over 100 people are being investigated as being a part of La Linea.
2. The scam was exposed at a particularly difficult time in Guatemala. For months the national hospitals have been without basic medications (vaccines, Tylenol, amoxicillin, bandages, etc.), teachers have gone unpaid and police departments have not had money to buy gas for their vehicles. And during this time the government has simply stated, “Sorry, we don’t have the money.” Suddenly Guatemalans knew that a lot of that money was in the pockets of corrupt officials.
3. The levels to which the corruption rose. By the time all of the evidence was presented, it was clear that both the Vice-president and President were involved.

Upon the release of these findings, the Guatemalan people began to protest in a unified manner. Fueled by social media, they assembled peacefully around the seat of power in Guatemala City. They blocked roads throughout Guatemala. And they kept doing it. There is a general awareness of corruption in government here, and it is usually assumed that nothing can be done about it. Powerful people protect other powerful people and visa versa. Many times they had seen justice subverted. But this time they stood firm. And they began to see results.

In May congress voted to remove the immunity of the Vice-president, Roxana Baldetti. This meant she could be arrested and prosecuted like any other citizen. Shortly after this move, she resigned. Her passport was confiscated, along with her helicopter, to assure she could not flee the country. In addition, her bank accounts were seized while the investigation continued. The people saw their first victory, and it made them hungry for more. So, the protests continued and grew as they demanded the arrest of the Vice-president and the removal of immunity for the President.

Throughout May, June, July and August the President, Otto Perez Molina, insisted that he was innocent and would not resign. Meanwhile, as congress tried on a couple of instances to remove his immunity, the President’s party (Patriota), combined with the Lider Party, to defeat the measure each time. So the protests continued to grow.

On August 21st the Vice-President was arrested and, while the people celebrated this victory, they were not satisfied. They wanted to see Otto Perez out of office and prosecuted as well. This culminated on August 28 with a nationwide protest. Hundreds of thousands of Guatemalans protested throughout the country, and many businesses closed in a strike. And they made it clear that the protests would continue.

Finally, on Tuesday, September 1st, congress voted to remove the President’s immunity. On Wednesday evening an arrest warrant was issued for Otto Perez, and he resigned shortly thereafter. On Thursday morning his arraignment began, and the country celebrated.

All of this unfolded leading up to Guatemala’s national election on Sunday, September 6 (yesterday). And this scandal has changed the landscape of politics. Prior to these events, the Lider candidate, Manuel Baldizon, was the heavy favorite to win. In fact, only six months ago it was predicted by some that he would win without a run-off. (In Guatemala, you cannot be elected president without 50.1% of the vote. Since there were 16 candidates running in this election, the odds of a candidate getting that majority are slim.This results in a run-off between the top two candidates.) However, because of the Lider Party’s role in protecting the President, a political outsider, Jimmy Morales, is now in first place with almost 24% of the vote, and Baldizon is in third place as the votes continue to be counted. (There is only a .02% gap between him and the second place candidate, Sandra Torres.) All polls show Jimmy Morales winning the run-off, regardless of which candidate he faces.

So, what does this mean for Guatemala? That is a good question. In the last four months we have seen people rise up in peaceful but firm opposition against corruption. And they have won. That is a very positive step for a country that has been abused and oppressed for so long. For the first time in recent memory, the people feel that they are not powerless, but can actually influence change. And those in power are shaken as a result. Suddenly they are realizing that they may not be as untouchable as they once believed.

And all of that is good. But there are a few questions that only time will answer:

1. Will this last? Or will this be a temporary withdrawal of evil within the government, waiting for people to once again become complacent and distracted. That is the likely outcome. As Macbeth said, “Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely”. We can only pray that those in power will realize that their power is not so absolute.
2. Will the people place their trust in politics instead of the things that really matter? Don’t misunderstand me. I am happy that people are exercising their right to vote and demonstrate. There is nothing wrong with that. It is estimated that nearly 80% of the Guatemalan people voted yesterday, and that was a record turn-out. And I am thrilled to see so many people who want to have their voices heard. But politics is never a long-term solution. That is a lesson that the church in American seems to have forgotten. Often politics become a distraction from the most important things…knowing and loving Jesus, loving our neighbors, and proclaiming God’s glory to the world.
3. What have I/we learned? Guatemala is different today because hundreds of thousands of people stood up and said “No!” to corruption and oppression. But, face it, most battles for justice do not take the form of a national revolution. Most of those battles are fought daily in hundreds of smaller situations. And often you and I are the only ones there to fight. The widow is cheated. The child is abandoned. The teen is bullied. The single mother is left to fend for herself and her child. And, in those moments, we have a choice. Will we place ourselves between the oppressor and the oppressed? Will we absorb injustice to shield the innocent? Or will we shrug it off and convince ourselves that it is not our problem? After all, that’s just the way things are, and we will never change it. Or will we be inspired to rise up and fight for justice? Time will tell.

Now that the protests are behind us, this ministry becomes a little easier. We have battled closed roads and worked to avoid protests for months. Just last week we were unable to get a child in for medical care because the route was blocked. So I am breathing a little easier these days.

Allow me to close with two prayer requests:

First, Lucia from San Pablo La Laguna is in critical condition in the national hospital in Xela. She has pneumonia, and the doctor is uncertain of her recovery. She has severe cerebral palsy, which make recovery more difficult. Please pray for her.

Second, Angelita continues to struggle. A few days ago she was diagnosed with a respiratory infection. In addition, she continues to cry much of the time, especially when she is being moved. We suspect head pain, but cannot know for sure because she is unable to speak. She is not eating, so we had to insert an NG tube to feed her and dispense her medications. We will be getting new tomography of her brain in the next day or two. Please pray for her healing.

Blessings from Guatemala!

Daryl, Wanda and the Crew