In Guatemala people are now suffering from the "labor agreements", which come from the same strain of virus as the "Collective agreements" which have made the State Costa Rica sick, distorting the labor market and generating inequality.
EDITORIAL
The editorial "Harmfulness of labor agreements in the public sector", published today on Elperiodico.com.gt, might have been written some years ago to describe Costa Rica. Guatemala still appears to have a chance to react to the disease, with proper medication. In Costa Rica, however, the disease is so widespread that major surgery is needed which today does not seem feasible, and the only thing left is to wait for the inevitable final crisis.
The political crisis does not seem to have affected the economy, where the risk noted is related to the imbalance in government accounts, which has reached 25% of GDP.
A report by the Association for Research and Social Studies of Guatemala (ASIES) concludes that "... despite the crisis in the public sector due to corruption that led to the arrest of the former vice president Roxana Baldetti, and to the resignation of former President Otto Perez Molina to face justice, Guatemala's economic growth may not be affected, in part because of the behavior of remittances, and the sustainability over time of the macroeconomy, among other things. "
From 16 to 18 of November businessmen and government representatives from Latin America will be gathering together at the IX Forum of the Americas on Competitiveness.
From a statement issued by om the Chamber of Industry of Guatemala:
Guatemala, September 22, 2015.- The public and private sectors of the Latin American region will be meeting in Guatemala from 16 to 18 November at the IX Forum of the Americas on Competitiveness, the most important business exchange space which will have more than 1000 attendees.
Ineptocracy: A government system where the least capable to govern are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are rewarded with goods and services paid for by the diminishing number of producers.
EDITORIAL
As the notion of "acquired rights" extends its current deformation which means "even if the world is falling apart the government must pay my salary at the end of each month", the transformation of democracies in ineptocracies is accelerating, especially in reference to democracies in Latin America, and in particularin those like Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay, where some time ago a combination of enlightened leaders and the majority of industrious citizens created prosperous societies not only in economic terms but also in terms of civility and harmony in coexistence.
In the view of the private sector it does not make sense to pass a budget that contains vices of the past which encourage theft of public resources, nonexistent jobs, inefficient spending and corruption.
From a statement issued by the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (CACIF):
The ability of the executive and legislative powers to effectively lead their country's economy is seriously diminished by the excessive actions of the judicial branch, especially the Constitutional Courts.
EDITORIAL
It is happening in Central America but it is a growing problem throughout Latin America. The legitimate concern to guarantee that all citizens fully exercise their rights under the very welcomed liberal democracy, has created a culture of acceptance of virtually all proceedings filed in courts against executive actions taken by the government, and also against laws which have been formally approved.
The private companies should have to consider the risk posed to Costa Rica's business climate by the excesses of state union leaders.
EDITORIAL
Costa Rica's democratic traditions pale before the attempt made by a trade unionist to silence the media by threatening the safety of journalists.
An article in Crhoy.com quote statements made by the union member Fabio Chaves regarding the news in Costa Rican media revealing information about unacceptable privileges enjoyed by many officials, acquired against article 57 of the Constitution itself: "Wages will always be equal for equal work under identical conditions of efficiency."
The Guatemalan president will stand trial on charges of conspiracy, bribery and special case of customs fraud.
Judge Miguel Angel Galvez issued an indictment against former President Otto Perez Molina, after analyzing the evidence presented by the prosecution and the International Commission against Impunity (CICIG).
".. In issuing his ruling the Judge of B Court for High Risk Cases, Miguel Angel Galvez, issued an order of remand, and the MP is asking for bail. "
In elections with less abstention than expected, Jimmy Morales, the filmmaker candidate for a nationalist center party, will run in the second round of the presidential election with an opponent who has yet to be chosen.
The 2015 elections in Guatemala saw the participation of 65% of eligible voters, which is auspicious in light of calls for abstention from different social sectors. Blank votes will not exceed 4% of those cast.
With the resignation of Pérez Molina and Alejandro Maldonado sworn in as president, the institutional crisis should moderate in its intensity.
From a statement by AmCham Guatemala:
After several months of political uncertainty in Guatemala it has been demonstrated that nobody is above the law and that the country's institutions are able to perform their job.
A scruffy old man is running around America preaching the same disconnection with the real world that made him a complete failure as the president of Uruguay.
EDITORIAL
On his way through the Latin American capitals, crowds applaud his coffee shop philosophy, while others who have specific responsibilities in life are surprised at the inconsistencies of the former Uruguayan president.
With 132 votes in favor, the Congress decided to remove the president's immunity, who will have to face the accusations of corruption.
While the president insists on staying in office, the commission appointed to examine the arguments in President Perez Molina's defense and evidence presented by the prosecution decided unanimously to recommend to Congress to waive his immunity so that he faces judgement.
The appointment as Minister of Economy and Competitiveness Commissioner of people linked to the telecommunications sector has created strong suspicions, and comes at a time when a $250 million deal is on the table.
An article in Plazapublica.com.gt reports that "... the appointment of Ricardo Sagastume and Acisclo Valladares Urruela as Minister of Economy and Presidential Commissioner for Competitiveness, respectively, in a government that is drowning under the weight of allegations of corruption, has generated doubts and suspicions. When everyone else is leaving the ship, they are getting ready to get onboard. With a lack of coherent explanations from the Presidency and the new officials themselves, everything points to Tigo, the telephone company from which both of them come from, and a multi million dollar business deal in its favor as a result of the troubled waters in which the country finds itself. "
The Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations is asking him to leave office and be accountable, preventing unnecessary institutional expense for the country.
From a statement issued by the CACIF:
The undersigned organizations, members GUATEMALA FORUM, wish to express to Otto Perez Molina :
4. Guatemalan society has expressed peacefully and orderly its demands for your resignation as President of the Republic. So have various social bodies. As the person constitutionally responsible for national unity, recognize that this united nation is today asking for your retirement from office.
The current political turmoil is threatening the implementation of important infrastructure projects such as the construction of the State Administrative Center, valued at $200 million.
The resignation of several ministers in Perez Molina's cabinet, including Sergio de la Torre, Economy Minister and Commissioner for competitiveness, Juan Carlos Paiz, both members of the board of the National Agency for the Development Partnerships Economic infrastructure (ANADIE) complicates the near future of planned projects to be developed in the form of public - private partnerships.