GUATEMALA CITY — Two Mexican ladies had been married contained in the grounds of Mexico’s embassy in Guatemala on Friday, sparking anger in a nation that does not acknowledge same-sex marriage and debate over diplomatic sovereignty.
The ceremony held within the embassy gardens was meant to have fun Satisfaction Month, which is well known each June, and the consulate stated the wedding marked a step towards inclusion, respect and equality for all.
“We have fun love with out borders,” wrote the embassy in a submit on the social media platform X. “That is the primary civil marriage ceremony of a same-sex couple on the Embassy of Mexico in Guatemala. It is a proper granted to all people when each are Mexican residents.”
Shortly after, the ceremony sparked an outcry amongst conservative politicians in Guatemala, a largely Catholic nation and one in every of a handful in Latin America that also does not acknowledge same-sex marriages. Whereas such marriages aren’t explicitly prohibited, Guatemalan regulation solely refers to unions between a person and a girl.
Allan Rodríguez, the pinnacle of the VAMOS occasion bloc and ally of former president Alejandro Giammattei, was amongst these to reject the marriage, writing in an announcement that “though the act could also be protected below exterior jurisdictions, it clearly contradicts Guatemala’s present authorized framework.”
Based on the congressman, the properties the place embassies are situated “will not be international territory; they merely take pleasure in diplomatic privileges” and due to this fact will not be part of the Mexican state. He claimed contemplating them as such would “violate constitutional rules of sovereignty, territorial unity, and the rule of regulation.”
Rodríguez, a former president of Congress, is sanctioned by america for obstructing anti-corruption efforts and undermining democracy in Guatemala.
The workplace of progressive President Bernardo Arévalo stated that below worldwide regulation embassies like Mexico’s “have territorial immunity and function below the jurisdiction of the state they symbolize.”
“On this case, it’s an exercise carried out by the Mexican Consulate in Guatemala and aimed toward Mexican residents. Due to this fact, it’s completely the accountability of the Authorities of Mexico, by means of its diplomatic illustration, to remark or converse on the matter,” the embassy assertion stated.
Nonetheless, debate solely continued on, with Elmer Palencia, a congressman for the VALOR occasion, created by the daughter of a former dictator, referred to as the wedding, “not an act of inclusion, however a provocation.”
“Out of respect for the host nation, Mexico ought to chorus from that narrative. Guatemalan sovereignty and social establishments deserve that respect,” he stated.
Constitutional lawyer Edgar Ortíz contradicted the conservative politicians, saying the wedding does not violate Guatemala’s sovereignty and complies with the Vienna Conference, which establishes that what occurs on diplomatic premises “will not be topic to the host state’s jurisdiction.” He famous that Guatemala’s structure establishes that the nation will govern following worldwide rules.
“On no account are Guatemala’s legal guidelines being altered; the results of this marriage will happen in Mexico, which does acknowledge same-sex marriage,” he stated.
“Relatively,” he added, “it’s the Guatemalan lawmakers who’re violating sovereignty, by interfering in Mexico’s affairs and making an attempt to inform them what they will or can not do. That appears much more discourteous.”
