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Photo: Esquipulas Foundation – Eddy Simaj

In an exclusive interview with Prensa Libre, Vinicio Cerezo, former President of Guatemala, delved into the challenges and responsibilities the recently elected President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, will face throughout his upcoming term. Cerezo is also a member of the Latin American Presidential Mission and a strong advocate of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peacebuilding, guided by the vision of One Family under God. GPF engages and organizes a global network of partners from the public and private sectors who develop community, national, and regional peacebuilding models as a foundation for ethical and cohesive societies.

Cerezo, who was the first democratically elected president in Guatemala’s new era of democracy and a prominent figure in Central American politics and diplomacy, shared his insights on the role of the president and the key factors that will determine the success of his government.

One of the main topics addressed by Cerezo was the series of challenges that the new president will confront. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation in Guatemala and the imperative need to address the demands of the population effectively.

Former President Vinicio Cerezo emphasized the importance of the new president building a solid and diverse team. He expressed that the team must be attuned to the issues and needs of Guatemalan society and work together to implement the government’s plan.

Cerezo also highlighted the significance of the Guatemalan leader having a deep understanding of the international context. Given that they represent the nation, it is crucial to maintain proper relations with international organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations (UN).

In the interview, he also acknowledged the diversity of problems in Guatemala and the complexity of presidential tasks. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of the president selecting a competent cabinet with expertise in specific areas to address the country’s challenges effectively.

According to Cerezo, Guatemala has historically played a coordinating role in Central America. He urged the president to focus on relations with neighboring countries and other nations worldwide, especially in the European context.

Cerezo highlighted the president’s role as a great coordinator of national effort. Each sector of society has its interests and responsibilities, and the president must understand and coordinate these efforts for the country’s development.

The former president emphasized that presidential leadership involves coordinating national efforts, maintaining an open-minded approach, and not being bound by rigid ideological positions. He believes that the president-elect has the necessary skills to lead Guatemala based on their education and prior experience.

The interview with Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo offers valuable insights into the challenges and responsibilities that the new president of Guatemala will face. It underscores the importance of forming a competent team, understanding the international context, and effectively coordinating sectors of society for the country’s development. Cerezo also expressed confidence in the qualities of the president-elect to play this crucial role in Guatemala’s history.