Bernardo Arévalo creates Subsecretaría de Gestión Estratégica – Publinews – 2024-02-18 17:35:04

Is it the same as the extinct center of Alejandro Giammaittei’s Government? The powers of both agencies are very similar. Here we tell you what they are.

Last Thursday, February 15 of this year, the Official Gazette published Government Agreement 32-2024 that establishes the Secretariats of the Presidency and internal regulations of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency.

In reference, it details that the Superior Office is made up of:

Direct and issue administrative provisions

Support the President in the coordination of actions

Attend the dialogue at the request of the President

Likewise, article 7 describes the powers of the Undersecretary of Strategic Management, who will be appointed and removed by the President of the Republic.

a) Address the issues and political relations delegated by the Private Secretary of the Presidency;

b) Support in the definition, monitoring and evaluation of presidential goals within the scope of competence of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency;

c) Advise on political issues, conflicts or projects entrusted to the Private Secretariat of the Presidency by the President of the Republic;

d) Replace the Private Secretary of the Presidency, in case of temporary absence of the latter and the Administrative Undersecretary of the Private Secretariat of the Presidency;

e) Represent the Private Secretary of the Presidency in protocol acts when required, at the request of the Private Secretary of the Presidency;

f) Propose to the Private Secretary of the Presidency, the integration of technical and professional work teams, to fulfill the designated functions; and,

g) Other powers inherent to his position and assigned by the Private Secretary of the Presidency.

GOVERNMENT CENTER: SIMILARITY WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF THE UNDERSECRETARY OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ARÁVALO?

Meanwhile, on January 27, 2020, the electoral period of former President Alejandro Giammattei, the government agreement 31-2020 was created, giving life to the Government Center, which in turn appointed Miguel Martínez as executive director. The creation of this entity was questioned in the light of Guatemalan citizens and political analysts as a “usurpation of functions.”

By constitutional mandate, the main function of the Vice Presidency is to coordinate with the cabinet of ministers, something similar to what the Government Center was at the time.

In that instance, Government Agreement 31-2020 details in article 6 that the powers of the Government Center are the following:

Contribute to the strengthening and development of the management capabilities of the Presidency of the Republic, in carrying out actions to support, coordinate and monitor the results of presidential priorities, seeking to ensure their assurance.

Support the construction, promotion and strengthening of a culture of execution, transparency, quality of spending and accountability of the Executive Body.

Propose the implementation of management systems that facilitate presidential decision-making in real time, to achieve strategic and institutional results.

Inform the President of the Republic, the corresponding institutional authorities, developing expeditious management mechanisms on compliance with in-person priorities.

Assist in the development and implementation of the mechanisms that allow the President of the Republic to give the pertinent instructions to the different institutions of the Executive Branch, as well as those entities, both permanent and temporary, that are under the dependence of the Presidency of the Republic in order to harmonize its policies, plans, programs and projects, with the presidential priorities.

Advise the President of the Republic, to monitor the execution and compliance of presidential priorities, with the purpose of identifying and reporting administrative, financial or other restrictions that affect the achievement of the results proposed therein.

Promote the development of information technology in the Executive Branch, which allows establishing digitally and in real time, the degree of execution and progress of presidential priorities, so that the President of the Republic has access to relevant information and that be a significant alternative for decision making.

Propose communication strategies, mechanisms and inputs to inform citizens about progress in fulfilling presidential priorities.