Politicos: Loss of Faith in Guatemala's Governance

Recently I was asked to write a paper about politics. At first I wrote a paper about the corruption behind “saving the lake”. However, I realized that this is a topic that not many people are excited about. It is something that is known too well to want to discuss. So, when I was talking to some local kids, I realized what the true story behind politics is in Guatemala.

As I sat in front of a tienda some of my friends came up and began talking to me. I asked these kids how things were in school, what they thought was happening with the lake, and how they felt about our government. While we talked, I noticed something that completely defines politics in this country, disinterest.

While we talked I realized that my friends all knew about the most recent disappearance of money, the newest tax, and of course who the President is. What really surprised me, however, was their lack of interest and right then I realized that this is the true political story in Guatemala. Here, people have lost faith in their government. My fellow citizens know what is happening but disregard it, almost as if to protect themselves from disappointment. Politics in Guatemala no longer represent the people. Here, a free T-shirt and some money is enough to buy a vote, not because people are ignorant, but because their lack of caring can be bought with materials. People can’t be bought with false promises because people have lost the ability to believe, they have lost the desire to hope.

Toward the end of our conversation I asked these kids what they wanted to do in the future. Some wanted to own businesses, others wanted to work with computers, or as engineers or teachers. None of them wanted to have anything to do with politics or government. My story could have been about whatever the most recent political mishap is, but there is something more important happening. People across this country are losing or have lost faith in their government. People need something or someone to unite them, people need something to rally behind, and as the government does the opposite, people will only continue to rally behind the wrong cause, like violence. I believe that in Guatemala we need to rally behind each other, because it is all we have. For this reason I urge everyone reading this not to lose faith in Guatemala. Stand up and talk, let’s make a difference through learning, ideas and words, let’s rally behind each other, because Guatemala is not represented by politics, but by you and me, and what we decide to teach the next generation.

By: Zane Angelo