Party all the Time

On Sunday, the URNG convened its National Assembly and reelected Hector Nuila as its Secretary General. During the meeting that included representatives from 101 municipalities and 16 different departments, Nuila took the opportunity to criticize the presence of mining activity in Guatemala. 

The URNG probably has been the party most outspoken against international mining in the country. However, its minimal representation in Congress (2 seats) has limited its visibility. Here is the URNG and Frente Amplio's most recent public announcement. 

Twenty-one political parties signed an Ethics Pact this morning whereby they agreed that (1) their campaigns would focus on the issues and would not attack each other, (2) they would not not incite violence, and (3) they would provide the TSE with monthly campaign contribution reports. All signed the pact except for the Unionist Party (UP), the Progressive Liberator Party (PLP), Social Good (Bien), and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

UNE representatives also promised not to promote the party during the inauguration of public works projects carried out by the Colom administration.

In a move that surprised no one, Otto Perez proclaimed that the Patriotic Party will win in the first round of the presidential election. However, a surprise did come when Aristides Crespo, a former congressman from the FRG, took a step back in time and came out in support of the wrong general. (You can listen to the clip here).

"Escuintla is present in this patriotic holiday (...)" "to tell Roxana Baldetti and General Ríos Montt that we are ready to rule Guatemala, we are ready for the Patriotic Party in the first round."

Oops!