COFOA Leaders in Guatemala Meet with Candidates for Mayor

While Guatemalan political protest is turning national politics upside down, forcing the entire administration out of office, COFOA leaders are working to make local political leaders accountable as well. About one-hundred community leaders met with candidates for Office of Mayor in Pastores, near Antigua in the Department of Sacatepéquez.  Leaders from St. Dionysius parish prepared for this event with a one-to one campaign to discover the priority concerns among the residents. What emerged as top issues were teen pregnancy, alcoholism and drug use, lack of recreation space, unemployment and poverty.

At the candidates forum, each candidate was given time to respond to these priorities, and the entire event was conducted in a climate of respect. A community covenant was signed by the candidates who promised, if they were elected, to meet again with leaders of COFOA.