In 2022, the Congress of the Republic approved a payment of Q36,000 to each ex-combatant who performed military service during the internal armed conflict. The program promoted by the Temporary Law of Comprehensive Development contemplates a payment of Q 1 thousand for 36 months in exchange for reforestation work.
Currently the program is executed by the Ministry of Social Development (Mides) and has 44,100 people enrolled. But yesterday, in a meeting at the Valor bench, attended by representatives of military veterans and the ministerial office, they asked for a modification to the legal regulations to add more than 60 thousand people who were initially left out.
In total, 104 thousand ex-military members would be registered.
In order for the payment to be effective for the rest, the Ministry of National Defense must have a record of those seeking to join the social program that consists of: reforesting, protecting or conserving forests, as well as participating in educational projects on environmental matters.
Threat
The law that was born during the administration of former president Alejandro Giammattei does not have financial support, according to the authorities of the Mides portfolio. During the summons to the officials, the veterans stated that many were left out so they will seek the support of deputies to promote a change to the regulations.
Carlos Ajcalon, representative of veterans, said that the issue must be taken as a priority, because all those who were not included in the law, identified with number 51-2022, feel in an unequal situation.
“The veterans are no longer waiting, we have already tried to calm them down, but if the ministers do not comply, the veterans are going to rise up on a national strike and we will not be able to calm them down. It is not a threat, we know that we hurt the people of Guatemala and the most humble people, but there is no other way,” said Ajcalon.
Adjustments
Currently, Mides needs Q500 million to be able to comply with the payment, this only to cover the 44,100 who are registered, as stated by the Vice Minister of Social Protection, Bertha Zapeta.
The official explained that they had to take resources from the Social Development Fund (Fodes) to meet the current beneficiaries of the project.
“We have made moves from our budget to be able to give them financial solutions. We have already carried out two transfers and today the third begins, the one in March, with 44 thousand veterans registered,” said Zapeta.
The vice minister indicated that they need an extension to continue with timely payments. “Approximately Q500 million to comply with what is established. These are already registered (…) the minister has considered it as part of the budget expansion plans,” she said.
But deputy Elmer Palencia of the Valor bloc, who has overseen the execution of the law, indicated that the funds only need to be released.
“They already did the expansion with the internal structure of Mides, so they are only waiting for Finance to transfer it. That does not have to come to Congress, it is not something that we should see,” he said.
They seek support
Deputy Palencia indicated that he sees the request of the military veterans as positive. He even said that there is already support from some other blocks to approve such a reform.
“There are 104,846 veterans registered in the Mindef assistantship, that is the total number.” So making use of article four of the constitution, the right to Equality, everyone has the right to be included within that program,” he explained.
There is no possible date for the bill to be presented that would seek to expand the number of veterans benefiting from the law. But according to the deputy, the issue is already beginning to be discussed with other parties.
“Together with other legislative blocks we are working on a bill that allows reform of decree 51-2022 so that those who were not registered can benefit,” he concluded.
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