The pro-democracy protests in Guatemala have arrived at what one might characterise as a critical juncture.
This morning a reduced total of 14 bloqueos were reported in the national press. Yesterday we saw how these attempts to force the removal of key figures in the MP and wider justice system have resulted in the first concrete examples of lethal force being used against peaceful demonstrators.
With just under 90 days remaining until the handover of executive power, those who fear for their fundamental constitutional rights can probably perceive that they need to adapt their package of tactics.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that, in the absence of any change of heart from the Fiscal General that the economic stranglehold approach will start to deliver rather mixed results. And possibly even more lethal force.
Right now, what is required is a flexible shift to a more variegated range of pressures, whilst at the same time maintaining broadly an identical perceived extent of popular engagement and mobilisation.
History can provide numerous instructive examples of how this might be achieved.
It will also warn, especially here, how an undesirable descent into civil war could also occur.
2 comments:
I think the use of lethal force will trigger a backlash against the cabal at the top. The wedding exit the other day comes to mind. Would those few security people protecting that fool be willing to give their lives up to the mob? It was Antigua, a safe place for better than a quarter century-GC in not Antigua.
In Guatemala I think it will depend on how and where lethal force is applied.
The 'exit' of Miguelito from Antigua was both a side show and a spectacle which will inform future resistance.
With 89 days left neither side really wants to commit to its final position before the issue itself is absolutely clear.
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