La Ronda, 16 de septiembre de 2026.

Opening Remarks and Context

Introduction by Karina García Ruano

• The press conference begins with a welcome from Karina García Ruano, emphasizing the importance of communication during national celebrations.

• She highlights ongoing government work despite public holidays, focusing on issues related to fuel prices and economic updates.

President Bernardo Arévalo's Address

• President Arévalo joins the conference, acknowledging the challenges faced by the government in various contexts.

• He reflects on how external factors test governmental capacity to protect citizens and maintain democracy.

Economic Challenges Facing Guatemala

Fuel Prices and Economic Impact

• The president discusses global situations affecting local economies, particularly rising fuel prices and reduced rainfall impacting families.

• He stresses the need for immediate implementation of the maximum price law for fuels (Decree 2126), which aims to stabilize diesel prices at 39 quetzals per gallon.

Legislative Actions Required

• The president urges Congress to expedite sanctioning Decree 2126 to alleviate financial pressure on families due to high fuel costs.

• He clarifies that while this is not a final solution, it is an essential step towards addressing fuel pricing issues.

Addressing Food Security Concerns

Plan for Food Supply Amid Drought

• Acknowledging drought conditions, the government presents a plan ensuring no family goes without food amid agricultural losses.

• The plan includes releasing basic grains into the market tax-free to prevent speculation and price hikes due to crop failures.

Components of the Action Plan

• The action plan consists of three components: securing food for affected families, enhancing productivity among farmers, and improving soil management practices.

• Immediate assistance focuses on those most impacted by crop loss due to insufficient rainfall.

Implementation Strategies for Food Assistance

Coordination Among Ministries

• Minister Abelardo Pinto outlines collaboration between various ministries aimed at addressing food security through coordinated efforts.

• A four-stage plan has been developed involving financial mobilization and logistical coordination for effective aid delivery.

Targeted Assistance Plans

• Initial funding of 500 million quetzals will be allocated for immediate food assistance targeting over one million families across several months.

Long-term Agricultural Resilience Measures

Future Preparedness Initiatives

• Emphasis is placed on long-term strategies such as agricultural insurance programs and recovery initiatives post-drought conditions.

Monitoring Systems Established

• Continuous monitoring of nutritional status, water quality in municipalities, and price stability will be prioritized as part of comprehensive response measures.

Positive Economic Developments

International Recognition

• Guatemala receives positive international attention at trade shows highlighting its economic potential despite current challenges.

Government Achievements

• U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio acknowledges advancements made under President Arévalo’s leadership regarding trade agreements that benefit local producers.

Q&A Session Highlights

Press Inquiries

• Journalist Andrea Fuentes questions about legislative actions concerning fuel taxes; President Arévalo emphasizes awaiting Congressional decisions while advocating for immediate solutions.

• Discussion arises regarding public perception influenced by budget execution rates; President counters claims with data showing improved infrastructure investments compared to previous administrations.

Discussion on Social Development and Disaster Response

Minister's Update on Food Aid

• Fernando Andrino inquires about the new food distribution actions for families affected by drought in the dry corridor.

• The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) has warehouses containing food supplies that can be utilized by the Ministry of Social Development.

• The minister emphasizes that CONRED maintains a strategic reserve for disaster situations, including earthquakes and floods.

Strategic Reserve Utilization

• Some of the strategic reserve will be used, but it cannot be depleted entirely to prepare for future disasters; currently, 94 municipalities are under orange alert and 19 under red alert.

• The regions prioritized for assistance include Alta Verapaz, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, Huehuetenango, and Santa Rosa during October.

Food Security Measures

• Starting in October, a composite index will guide responses based on food insecurity data and crop losses reported by CONRED.

Questions from Journalists

Blockades and Protests

• Journalist Kenneth Jordán questions President regarding his previous stance on blockades as legitimate protests versus current views.

• He also asks if rising international fuel prices will affect state subsidies or require consumer savings measures.

President's Stance on Protests

• The president clarifies he never called for blockades but supported peaceful protests to defend voting rights against perceived electoral fraud.

Economic Concerns Amidst Rising Fuel Prices

Government Preparedness

• The president acknowledges the need to prepare collectively as a society for potential economic instability due to external factors affecting fuel prices.

Drought Challenges

• He stresses that drought is beyond government control and requires collective action from all Guatemalans to address its impacts effectively.

Minister of Agriculture's Insights

Drought Emergency Management

• María Fernanda Rivera discusses how slow-onset emergencies like drought require long-term assessments rather than immediate evaluations of damage.

Satellite Monitoring of Crop Damage

• The Ministry uses satellite projections to assess vegetation damage compared with crop maps; reports indicate significant hectares affected by drought conditions.

Ongoing Reporting Mechanisms

Weekly Damage Reports

• Regular updates show over 22 million hectares impacted and nearly half a million families affected; local authorities are encouraged to report damages promptly.

Addressing Internal Divisions within Government

Reflection on Unity Calls

• Daniela Florian raises concerns about internal divisions within the presidency following comments made by Monseñor Gonzalo de Villa regarding societal polarization.

Presidential Response

• The president asserts that all sectors must work together to overcome national challenges highlighted during independence celebrations.

Legislative Actions Regarding Subsidies

Inquiry About Subsidy Legislation

• Erika Escobar questions the president about his support for subsidy legislation after previously criticizing such measures under past administrations.

Clarification on Current Subsidy Approach

• The president explains that current proposals involve price caps rather than traditional subsidies aimed at preventing exploitation during crises.

Addressing Corruption and Governance Issues

Combating Corruption

• Eduardo Perea highlights corruption as a barrier to social peace; seeks clarity on executive strategies against corrupt influences undermining governance.

Presidential Commitment

• The president agrees with this assessment and outlines ongoing efforts since taking office to remove corrupt officials from public positions while reinforcing institutional integrity.

Discussion on Legislative Objections and Fuel Solutions

Conversations with Official Bench

• Inquiry about discussions with the official bench regarding expediting legislative objections in Congress to address fuel issues for the population.

Minister's Confidence in Congressional Action

• The minister expresses confidence that Congress will resolve the objections to the law, allowing progression to send it for executive sanction.

Security and Budget Concerns

Food Security Funding

• Question directed at Minister Abelardo Pinto regarding the allocation of 500,000 quetzals for food security, specifically why SE is executing instead of MAGA or MIDES.

Budget Increase Clarification

• Additional inquiry about a 1.3 million quetzal budget increase for MIDES next year, considering potential electoral implications and clientelism concerns.

Inter-Institutional Coordination

Execution Mechanisms

• Response highlights inter-institutional coordination; SE opted for a more agile mechanism through an agreement with the World Food Program to utilize institutional resources effectively.

Addressing Clientelism in Social Programs

Budget Transparency Goals

• The minister emphasizes breaking clientelism and ensuring budget allocations are based on data and evidence rather than arbitrary decisions.

Strategic Planning Through Data Collection

Household Registration Impact

• Mention of registering one million households, aiming for 2.5 million by 2027, which aids in identifying family needs and strategic planning using social household registration data.

Progressive Budget Increases

Expansion of Services

• Notable growth from serving seven municipalities initially to targeting 114 municipalities next year based on historical poverty and malnutrition data.

Enhancements in Social Support Programs

Tripling Beneficiaries

• Significant increases in social program beneficiaries: from 25,000 to 75,000 in social assistance programs and from 80,000 to 350,000 receiving social bonuses this year.

Commitment to Long-term Goals

Infrastructure Improvements

• Plans include replacing dirt floors with concrete ones; aiming for a cumulative total of at least 250,000 improved floors as part of broader social transformation efforts.

Final Remarks on Media Engagement

Prioritizing Press Questions

• Acknowledgment from Heid Pineda requesting prioritization of press inquiries during ongoing discussions related to government actions against decree rejections.