The US condemned the arrest of former minister Napoleon Barrientos for suppressing the 2023 protests

Government of The United States condemned the arrest of former Interior Minister Napoleon Barrientoswho resisted the October 2023 protests and blockade against Ministry of Public (MP) officials, including Attorney General Consulo Porras.

Brian Nichols, United States Undersecretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, addressed the situation, stating: “We condemn the recent actions of anti-democratic actors in Guatemala, including the arrest today of former Interior Minister Napoléon Barrientos for defending the right to peaceful demonstrations.”

Additionally, the senior US official reaffirmed that President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and Vice President-elect Karin Herrera “will take office on January 14.”

Barrientos’ arrest has raised international concern just hours after his arrest, amid a complicated political context for Guatemala ahead of Arevalo’s inauguration as president to replace Alejandro Giamattei.

We condemn the recent actions of anti-democratic actors in Guatemala, including today’s arrest of former Interior Minister Napoléon Barrientos for defending the right to peaceful protest. President-elect @BArevalodeLeon and VP-elect @KarinHerreraVP Will take charge on January 14.

— Brian A. Nichols (@WHAAsstSecty) January 11, 2024

As a senior American official, the Secretary General of Organization of American States (OAS), Luis AlmagroCondemned the action taken by the Prosecutor’s Office, which accused the former head of the Interior Department of not complying with a court order issued by the Constitutional Court (CC) ordering demonstrations and blockades in October 2023.

Almagro joined the condemnation, asserting that Barrientos’ detention was an unacceptable use of the MP’s powers and abilities, violating the country’s democratic governance law.

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As of August 2023, prior to the protests, Nichols, the Undersecretary of State, reaffirmed that the US administration was closely following events in Guatemala.

At the time, when the MP took action against the Semilla party and former justice officials, Nicholls declared: ““They are trying to block Bernardo Arevalo’s ability to govern and that is unacceptable in a hemisphere where we value democracy.”

As Nicholls said on that occasion, it’s an obstacle “Against Democracy in the Country, Corrupt Powers” And concluded by saying: “Honest officers of the public ministry.”

Barrientos faces arrest

The former head of the house was asked if he resigned to avoid confrontation, to which he replied that the Ministry of Home Affairs (Mingob) and the Minister are part of the executive body and take decisions collectively.

“In this case, it was to prevent violence and avoid burning the country, but I am very calm. We have done the right thing from the Home Ministry and now we will face whatever comes with honesty, firmness and calmness.”Barrientos assured.

He highlighted that the government acted in accordance with the law, giving instructions in writing and verbally, Mingob’s actions were in accordance with the legal framework.

When asked about his feelings about his arrest, Barrientos replied: “Very calm, really. It’s uncomfortable and sad, but I’m a soldier used to strong treatment. I must face it now, very calmly and defend myself as the law allows.“

When asked if he believed the decisions on the blockade were made to save lives, Barrientos said: “Of course. If we had acted with violence, we could have set the country on fire in a framework of unstoppable violence. The police were very understanding, various sectors of the ministry made appropriate recommendations and we believe we have done the right thing.”

The former minister was also asked if there was political pressure to take the decisions, to which he replied that there was never any definite political pressure and Mingob always acted according to the law and analysis to prevent the situation from deteriorating.

Also Read: “If we had acted with violence, we could have set the country on fire”: Former minister David Napoléon Barrientos Giron talks about his capture