Elderly Guatemalans on Hunger Strike
In an unprecedented act in the Guatemalan history, dozens of elderly people are on their fourth day hunger strike, an open protest against the legal decision to cancel the Elder Law.

At least 15 strikers were sent to hospitals due to breathing and stomach problems and diabetes, declared Hector Montenegro, leader of the Association of Elderly People without Social Coverage.

Representatives of that organization met with the executive on Wednesday, but they have received no response so far, despite the authorities’ commitment to provide at least a temporary viable solution.

According to the leader, if the response does not satisfy their expectations, they will submit the case to international instances.

Statistics show there are nearly 70,000 elderly people living in abject poverty and in need at least of a monthly pension to survive.

The Elder Law, passed by the Congress of the Republic in December, guarantees a support to the elderly people without social coverage or family.

However, the government has decided to cancel it under the argument that it cannot afford to allocate the 35 million dollars needed to pay those pensions.