The protesters want the Congress, controlled by the ruling party and its allies, to approve a bill that authorizes compensation of about $ 15,000 for each retired soldier for his work during the internal armed conflict, which left 200,000 dead and missing, most of them by the actions of the Army.
In Guatemala there is a compensation law for victims of the civil war, widows and orphans, but the legislation does not include members of the armed forces.
Alejandra Mena, a spokeswoman for Migration of Guatemala, told reporters that the protesters closed the passage at the borders of Tecún Umán, bordering Mexico, and in Valle Nuevo, which communicates with El Salvador.
He added that they also blocked access to Puerto Quetzal, one of the country’s most important maritime terminals in the Pacific.
For its part, the Highway Police reported the closure of roads in 15 parts of the country, reported the AFP news agency.
“If there is no satisfactory response, we will continue with the blockades for three days,” added a protester, explaining that leaders of the movement had scheduled a meeting with deputies to demand the advancement of the bill.
The retired soldiers staged similar protests last June and August to pressure for the ratification of the initiative presented in 2019 by Congressman Felipe Alejos, a congressman recently included by the United States on a “corrupt” list.
The Guatemalan president has been the target of harsh criticism from a large part of society, who came to demand his resignation several times after seeing his social and economic demands frustrated, at the same time that they accuse him of acts of corruption, especially in his management in the pandemic of coronavirus.
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