Guatemala swears in conservative Giammattei as president

Guatemala has sworn in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician opposed to gay marriage and abortion, as its new president while the country's outgoing leader exits amid swirling corruption accusations

GUATEMALA CITY -- Guatemala swore in Alejandro Giammattei, a conservative physician opposed to gay marriage and abortion, as its new president Tuesday while the country's outgoing leader exited amid swirling corruption accusations.

The ceremony came after a five-hour delay and boisterous protests against ex-President Jimmy Morales.


He promised on Tuesday to propose legislation declaring the country's street gangs as terrorist groups. He also pledged to promote the rule of law, protect investments and spur employment.

Giammattei was sworn in before several Latin American leaders, among them Juan Orlando Hernández of Honduras, El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Iván Duque of Colombia and Lenín Moreno of Ecuador. U.S. Homeland Security acting Secretary Chad Wolf and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross met privately with Giammattei before the inauguration.




He has proposed to build what he calls a “Mayan Train," high-speed rail with a line for cargo and another for passengers. The name mirrors a planned train project for neighboring Mexico that will travel between coastal resorts, cities and Mayan ruins in that country's southeast.



In 2006, Giammattei was the head of the country's prison system when the interior ministry carried out a raid on the Pavon penal farm to regain control from the inmates. Thousands of police, soldiers and armed civilians raided the prison overnight and several inmates died in the operation.


He takes over from Morales who spent much of his four-year term dodging corruption charges.


Hours before the inauguration, Morales said he had left the country “stable” and blamed his detractors for attacking him.

