Visit to Guatemala - Day 2

Her Excellency Sharon Johnston visited the Public Ministry to demonstrate Canadian support for Guatemala's efforts to build capacity within the Ministry to reduce the level of impunity in the country. During her visit, she witnessed a crime scene investigation presentation by the police.

Tens of millions of documents have been found.

The Governor General then proceeded to the Palace of Congress where he met with Mr. Gudy Rivera, President of the Congress, and Mr. Manuel Villacorta, President of the Foreign Affairs Commission.

His Excellency met with the Right Honourable Gabriel Antonio Medrano Valenzuela, Chief Justice of the Republic of Guatemala,

His Excellency also met with the newly elected Supreme Court magistrates to discuss the Canada’s ongoing engagement in helping to strengthen Guatemala’s systems of governance and rule of law.

The meeting took place at the Palace of Justice.

Following their meeting, the Governor General and the President of the Republic of Guatemala delivered a joint statement to the press.

Following the ceremony, the Governor General met with the President of the Republic of Guatemala to discuss Canada’s strong links with Guatemala, namely in the areas of justice, security and trade, as well as food security and nutrition.

The ceremony was held at National Palace, Patio de la Paz.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston were officially welcomed to Guatemala by His Excellency Otto Pérez Molina, President of the Republic of Guatemala.

His Excellency also participated in the White Rose of Peace Ceremony before delivering remarks. Since the signing of the Guatemalan peace accords in 1996, at 11:30 each morning, an army honour guard replaces the white rose on the monument, symbolizing 24 hours of peace. The rose that is removed is given to a guest of the country in a ceremony held in the courtyard. On special occasions, important dignitaries are asked to change the rose.

During the ceremony, the Governor General received military honours.

Following the visit, Their Excellencies, joined by the Honourable Dian Ablonczy, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (left), took part in the unveiling of a sculpture on the Concord Plaza, outside the archives building.

The purpose of the visit was also to underline the excellent work of the Ministry under the mandate of the current Attorney General, Claudia Paz y Paz.

Their Excellencies concluded their day with a visit to the site where Guatemalan National Police Historical Archives were found and are now being classified and digitalized with the help of foreign countries.