Guatemala Elderly Demand Pension
Uninsured Guatemala elderly announced new formulas to demand from the government a minimum pension.

Old people abandoned their stand in front of the Constitutional Court building after this institution refused to explain the verdict by which it suppressed several articles from the law that would have given them economic aid.

According to Hector Montenegro, leader of the Association of Elderly Persons, "It´s no use to keep up the stand before this Court which denied them their pension and we will engage in other actions to pressure the government."

Next Monday they plan to meet with President Oscar Berger to listen to a proposal that allegedly contains some benefits for those people over 65 years of age that lack social or family support.

If the official proposal does not meet their expectations, the elderly will begin to occupy public buildings throughout the country, including City Halls and Governors´ Houses, said Montenegro.

Guatemala´s Executive has blocked payment of a pension to the elderly, claiming lack of funds.

After the pension was approved by parliament last December, the President vetoed it incorrectly and Congress was able to pass it.

Several days later, two lawyers filed suit against the plan, saying it would promote vagrancy in the country. Magistrates accepted the suit and the law was again suspended.

Montenegro said there are corrupt officials in the Constitutional court.