1993 Guatemalan constitutional crisis
Encyclopedia
The 1993 Guatemala constitutional crisis took place in 1993 when then President Jorge Serrano Elías
attempted a self-coup
or autogolpe. On 25 May 1993, Serrano illegally suspended the constitution, dissolved Congress
and the Supreme Court, imposed censorship
and tried to restrict civil freedom. The attempted self-coup was similar to the one carried out by Alberto Fujimori
, but unlike Fujimori's, had no popular support: Serrano's action met with strong protests by most elements of Guatemalan society, at the forefront of which was the Siglo Veintiuno
newspaper under the leadership of José Rubén Zamora
. This was combined with international pressure (the Organization of American States
condemned the autogolpe), and the army's enforcement of the decisions of the Constitutional Court, which ruled against the attempted takeover. In the face of this pressure, Serrano resigned as president and fled the country. He was replaced on an interim basis by his vice president, Gustavo Espina. However, Espina was judged by the Constitutional Court to have been involved in the coup as well, and Congress replaced him with Human Rights Ombudsman Ramiro de León.
suspended the Constitution, dissolved the Congress, disbanded the Supreme Court, and declared himself dictator for the next two and on half years.
He also suspended 59 articles of the Guatemalan Constitution. At the same time, Serrano
called on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to convoke elections for a National Constituent Assembly in 60 days.
“Serrano
had seriously overestimated his support from the military and underestimated the international diplomatic reaction to his coup. Furthermore, his move had the unintended effect of catalyzing opposition not only to his leadership but to the whole structure of backroom military power that he had hoped would support him, thus bringing together an unlikely coalition of progressive business interests, human rights groups, and Maya activists that would play an important role in the 1996 Peace Accord negotiations”.
“In a last bid to stay in office, Serrano
tried to recall the Congress which he had dissolved in May. Few responded and Serrano
was forced to step down. He subsequently fled to El Salvador
under military protection on 2 June. Serrano
’s departure provoked another crisis when on 2 June another of his supporters, Vice-President Gustavo Espina Salguero, proclaimed himself President. Espina was prevented from taking office on the evening of 2 June when only 44 deputies attended Congress to approve his swearing-in. On 4 June, the Court of Constitutionality ruled that Espina was not eligible for the presidency due to his support for Serrano
’s coup. The Court ordered the Congress to reconvene and elect a new President within 24 hours”.
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
attempted a self-coup
Self-coup
A self-coup or autocoup is a form of coup d'état that occurs when a country's leader, who has come to power through legal means, dissolves or renders powerless the national legislature and assumes extraordinary powers not granted under normal circumstances. Other measures taken may include...
or autogolpe. On 25 May 1993, Serrano illegally suspended the constitution, dissolved Congress
Congress of Guatemala
The Congress of the Republic is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Guatemala.It comprises 158 deputies, who are elected by direct universal suffrage to serve four-year terms . Twenty-nine of these are elected from nationwide lists, with the rest on a district list basis...
and the Supreme Court, imposed censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
and tried to restrict civil freedom. The attempted self-coup was similar to the one carried out by Alberto Fujimori
Alberto Fujimori
Alberto Fujimori Fujimori served as President of Peru from 28 July 1990 to 17 November 2000. A controversial figure, Fujimori has been credited with the creation of Fujimorism, uprooting terrorism in Peru and restoring its macroeconomic stability, though his methods have drawn charges of...
, but unlike Fujimori's, had no popular support: Serrano's action met with strong protests by most elements of Guatemalan society, at the forefront of which was the Siglo Veintiuno
Siglo Veintiuno
Siglo Veintiuno is an important Guatemalan newspaper. It was founded in 1990 by José Rubén Zamora.-External links:*http://www.sigloxxi.com/...
newspaper under the leadership of José Rubén Zamora
José Rubén Zamora
José Rubén Zamora Marroquín is the founder of three of Guatemala's most important newspapers, Siglo Veintiuno in 1990; El Periódico in 1996 and Nuestro Diario in 1998. Although he has generated great controversy in his role as editor-in-chief of the newspapers, he continues to edit the latter...
. This was combined with international pressure (the Organization of American States
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is a regional international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States...
condemned the autogolpe), and the army's enforcement of the decisions of the Constitutional Court, which ruled against the attempted takeover. In the face of this pressure, Serrano resigned as president and fled the country. He was replaced on an interim basis by his vice president, Gustavo Espina. However, Espina was judged by the Constitutional Court to have been involved in the coup as well, and Congress replaced him with Human Rights Ombudsman Ramiro de León.
Self-coup
In the early morning hours of 25 May 1993, President Jorge Serrano ElíasJorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
suspended the Constitution, dissolved the Congress, disbanded the Supreme Court, and declared himself dictator for the next two and on half years.
He also suspended 59 articles of the Guatemalan Constitution. At the same time, Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
called on the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to convoke elections for a National Constituent Assembly in 60 days.
“Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
had seriously overestimated his support from the military and underestimated the international diplomatic reaction to his coup. Furthermore, his move had the unintended effect of catalyzing opposition not only to his leadership but to the whole structure of backroom military power that he had hoped would support him, thus bringing together an unlikely coalition of progressive business interests, human rights groups, and Maya activists that would play an important role in the 1996 Peace Accord negotiations”.
“In a last bid to stay in office, Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
tried to recall the Congress which he had dissolved in May. Few responded and Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
was forced to step down. He subsequently fled to El Salvador
El Salvador
El Salvador or simply Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. The country's capital city and largest city is San Salvador; Santa Ana and San Miguel are also important cultural and commercial centers in the country and in all of Central America...
under military protection on 2 June. Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
’s departure provoked another crisis when on 2 June another of his supporters, Vice-President Gustavo Espina Salguero, proclaimed himself President. Espina was prevented from taking office on the evening of 2 June when only 44 deputies attended Congress to approve his swearing-in. On 4 June, the Court of Constitutionality ruled that Espina was not eligible for the presidency due to his support for Serrano
Jorge Serrano Elías
Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías...
’s coup. The Court ordered the Congress to reconvene and elect a new President within 24 hours”.