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Guatemala has backed down from implementing a new rule that would have made vehicle insurance mandatory following massive protests.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Guatemala recently announced a new insurance rule on March 18th that would’ve made it mandatory for all vehicle owners to carry liability insurance. The government introduced the measure after a major bus crash killed 54 people. The rule was set to take effect on May 1st. This pissed off a lot of people, especially drivers, since 60% of the population lives in poverty—and even among those who drive, most can’t afford insurance. Internal numbers suggest only about 10% of drivers in Guatemala are currently insured.

What’s going on now: In response to the insurance mandate, Guatemalans took to the streets, blocking major roads and bringing parts of the country to a standstill. For two straight days, demonstrators disrupted daily life, shutting down schools, businesses, and critical trade routes. Rioters also got involved, throwing rocks and bricks—and even using homemade slingshots with what looked like small knives—to target police.

Facing mounting unrest, President Bernardo Arévalo backed down, announcing the suspension of the decree in a national address. He said, “I understand the doubts that the publication of the decree has generated. It did not provide all the necessary details and raised understandable concerns in many households.”
Arévalo says the government will now form a committee with protest representatives and hopefully find a fair solution over the next year.