Alvaro Colom inaugurated as new president of Guatemala

GUATEMALA, January 14

Alvaro Colom Caballeros was inaugurated yesterday in a solemn ceremony in the Miguel Angel Asturias National Theater in this capital city, PL reports.

In his inaugural speech Colom emphasized that the Central American nation has reached a new stage in the process of change. "Guatemala is a magical country where we share 108,000 square kilometers, 23 peoples, 23 cultures and 23 different visions," affirmed the new leader, who reiterated that to govern is to serve and to seek national unity.

"Those who have the least will now be prioritized," he said and announced the beginning of the privilege of the poor, of those without opportunity, to which he has been committed over the last nine years of struggle for the Plan of Hope.

The ceremony was attended by 70 international delegations, 15 of those led by heads of state, the largest number recorded in the history of Guatemala for this type of event.

According to the DPA, prior to the leader’s investiture, the new Guatemalan legislative body for the 2008-2012 term was inaugurated during a session within the National Congress.

Out of a total of 158 deputies, Colom has the support of the 51 who belong to the National Unity for Hope Party (UNE), under the banner of which he won the presidential election.