Democracies Under Attack: From Crisis to Strategy

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Democracies Under Attack: From Crisis to Strategy

Across the Americas, democratic systems are facing an unprecedented crisis. The rise of authoritarian regimes, the erosion of institutions, and the criminalization of civil society have placed our region at a crossroads.

In this urgent context, Guatemala offers not only a cautionary tale—but a beacon of hope. Though far from free of challenges, this country has emerged as a powerful reminder that people’s movements, grounded in community-based resistance and Indigenous governance, can defend democracy even when the odds appear insurmountable.

A Historical Legacy of Resistance

This gathering takes place in Panajachel, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala—a country whose history is deeply intertwined with both visionary democratic aspirations and devastating repression.

In 1944, a civilian-led uprising known as the October Revolution toppled the military dictatorship of Jorge Ubico and ushered in a decade of ambitious democratic reform. Under the presidency of Juan José Arévalo and his successor Jacobo Árbenz, Guatemala experienced progressive policies in education, labor rights, and land redistribution.

However, these efforts were violently interrupted in 1954 when a US-backed coup, orchestrated by the CIA, overthrew Árbenz and installed a military regime. This intervention marked the beginning of a long and brutal era, culminating in a 36-year armed conflict that claimed over 200,000 lives—most of them Indigenous civilians—on top of 45,000 disappearances in what many international organizations have called a genocide.

The Struggle for Democracy in the Present

Despite the 1996 Peace Accords, Guatemala’s democratic transition remained incomplete. In the years that followed, power was consolidated by political and economic elites through corrupt alliances—commonly referred to as the “corrupt pact” (Pacto de Corruptos). These networks co-opted public institutions, attacked anti-corruption efforts, and undermined the rule of law.

Yet in 2023, the Guatemalan people defied expectations. In a surprising turn during the general elections, progressive candidate Bernardo Arévalo—son of Juan José Arévalo and representative of the Movimiento Semilla—advanced to the presidential runoff. His victory in the second round marked a public rejection of entrenched political corruption and a demand for meaningful democratic renewal.

Almost immediately, however, powerful actors sought to derail the democratic process. Prosecutors affiliated with the Pacto de Corruptos attempted to suspend Semilla’s legal status and prevent Arévalo’s inauguration, launching a barrage of legal maneuvers widely denounced as an attempted “technical coup.”

A Historic Mobilization

The response from the public was swift and historic. For over 100 days, Indigenous communities, students, farmers, and civil society organizations led mass protests, road blockades, and permanent encampments.

At the forefront were Indigenous authorities—long excluded from national politics—who mobilized their communities with discipline, legitimacy, and strategic clarity. Their leadership reflected centuries of communal decision-making rooted in assemblies, rotating leadership, and accountability to the people.

This resistance not only defended the electoral outcome and ensured Arévalo’s inauguration in January 2024—it also expanded the political imagination of what democracy can look like when it is community-driven, plural, and unapologetically grounded in justice.

Why Guatemala, Why Now?

It is in this spirit that we have chosen Guatemala as the site for this hemispheric gathering. We believe it offers a living case study in the fragility and resilience of democracy.

Through collective strategy, reflection, and imagination, we aim to co-create responses to the ongoing democratic backslide across the region. We will be informed by the lived experiences of those on the frontlines—from Indigenous organizers and feminist networks to digital activists, grassroots communicators, and independent media.

This is not merely a space for analysis—it is a laboratory of ideas, deep reflection and action through dialogue, strategy-building, and shared learning.

We hope that this space serves as a turning point in which cross-border alliances are strengthened, new ideas take root, and long-term networks are built to sustain our movements beyond this gathering.