Groups of military veterans are divided in demanding initiatives and pressure measures such as blockades
Military veterans announced demonstrations for three consecutive days in Guatemala to demand an economic benefit; however, there are two groups with conflicting opinions, one demands the approval of initiative 5664 that would give Q120 thousand to each veteran, and the other group supports initiative 6073 that would give them an economic benefit of Q36 thousand.
“The veteran is tired of so many lies, the veteran is already desperate for so much deception,” Antonio Pérez, of the Guatemalan military veterans, told La Red.
According to him, it is intended to approve a political platform that is initiative 6073 “which does not directly benefit the veteran, but benefits government ministries, politicians and political campaigns.”
Perez assured that there will be blockades This Wednesday, October 12, in some points of the national territory and another group will be concentrated in the capital in front of the Congress of the Republic.
According to Pérez, the blockades will be in the area of El Boquerón, Santa Rosa; Machaquila, Peten; the south coast, San Marcos and Quetzaltenango, among others.
They support initiative 5664
“I believe that the veteran is not going to lift the blocks, It will not be removed from the fight, because we are already tired of this”, he announced. The nonconformists announced that the demonstrations will be this October 12, 13 and 14.
Pérez recalled that there have been five years of technical tables and their human rights have been “violated” as veterans of the internal armed conflict.
When asked that Enrique Ajcalom, from the United Military Association for Dignity, has a different position from them, Pérez pointed out that said person “has been benefited financially by politicians and he and another association are practically being used”.
Perez stated that his group concentrates 80% of veterans nationwide. “We are the national powerhouse of veterans going after 5664,” he said.
He added that if Congress approves initiative 6073 that contemplates a benefit of Q36 thousand for each veteran, they will appeal and file amparos because “it will harm the veteran.”
He hopes that the deputies will be “conscious” and do not approve initiative 6073, which if so, will see the lists of which legislators supported it.
Pérez assured that if blockades are registered, they will give way to humanitarian aid due to the passage of tropical cyclone Julia.
Group that supports the initiative of Q36 thousand
The Network also consulted Enrique Ajcalom, from the aforementioned association, who denied the accusations and indicated that the other associations do not agree with what they are doing.
He said that the government offered them what the State is capable of giving them – the Q36 thousand.
He hopes that those in dispute give their vote in favor of initiative 6073, otherwise there will be more demonstrations.
He considered that it is necessary to approve the aforementioned initiative, because if not, “The veteran would go out again to damage the national economy carrying out strikes, blockades and demonstrations”.
Said Pérez lies when he indicates that they concentrate 80% of the military veterans, because there are more associations that support the benefit of the Q36 thousand.
To read more: Five points to understand what ex-combatants ask of Congress
“We believe that asking for Q120 thousand for each veteran is not possiblewhat the government offers is to give us Q1 thousand a month”, he added when referring to the Q36 thousand.
In his words, “negotiation is already impossible” or sitting down to discuss it.
He pointed out that some leaders who do not agree with receiving the Q36 thousand, They have made agreements with the veterans and promises that they will receive Q120,000.
Groups demonstrate in the capital
A group of military veterans blocks the passage of vehicles on 7th avenue in zone 1 of the capital. Another group demonstrates in the vicinity of the Congress of the Republic.
On 7th avenue, the group of ex-military It demands the approval of a payment of Q120,000 for each one for their “work in the internal armed conflict.”
They reject the initiative scheduled for this Wednesday, October 12 in Congress, that contemplates only a payment of Q36 thousand in exchange for veterans carrying out environmental work.
“If they sign that as a third reading, they are going to sign the civil war and let blood flow,” warned Carlos Segura, of the Association of Military Veterans Members of the Guatemalan Army Troops.
“There are not going to be elections, we are going to block the elections for the entire country,” said Segura, who said that they would block the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
He said that there are kaibiles and paratroopers who are trained for any act that they “do not like as Guatemalans.”
He added that they do not support initiative 6073, that of the payment of Q36 thousand that Congress seeks to approve this Wednesday, October 12.
He added that they do not support it because not all veterans are physically fit to plant trees or clean rivers.
Segura pointed out that the National Civil Police does not allow them to get closer to Congress.
With information from the network
