Guatemalan Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini announced this Monday, together with politicians and human rights organizations, the creation of a front called the National Convergence of Resistance with which they will seek to confront corruption, the co-optation of the Judiciary and the persecution of those who fight against the corruption.
“Without losing hope and the fighting spirit of the citizenry, we make this call that begins today… We want to be proactive and reaffirm the need for this convergence,” Ramazzini said at a press conference with his clerical collar and a crucifix.
The bishop and cardinal currently heads the diocese of Huehuetenango.
the international community has sounded the alarm for what he considers a weakening of the rule of law and the guarantees of the population, specifically due to the criminalization that Justice officials have denouncedseveral of whom have gone into exile, for their rulings against corruption and in cases on crimes of the civil war (1960-1996).
Ramazzini is considered one of the most influential religious leaders in the region, with a close relationship with Pope Francis, who even asked him not to retire when he turned 75.
Among the priority issues of the opposition front are promoting non-violent actions against the criminalization of justice operators, journalists, judges and prosecutors prosecuted or detained, as well as those who have gone into exile “for having defended justice in the country,” the bishop said.
He added that his religious investiture is not contrary to politics because “the term politics in the original sense of the word is promotion of the common good” and added that when he speaks of politics he does not mean partisan politics.
“I, as a bishop, must not under any circumstances get involved in party politics. I try to stay neutral on that, but it’s hard to stay neutral when you’re aware of situations,” he explained.
The objective of the new National Convergence of Resistance is to make visible “the problem that is affecting the realization of the common good.”
Ramón Cadenas, a lawyer who accompanied Ramazzini, said that a common front is necessary in response to a “classist, exclusive and racist” state.
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