Guatemala's Environment Minister: "Without Water Law, It's the Law of the Strongest"

GUATEMALA CITY – Patricia Orantes, Guatemala's Minister of Environment, has voiced strong concerns over the country's lack of a comprehensive water law, asserting that the current situation is governed by "the law of the strongest." Her remarks were made during an appearance on the "Hijos de la Gran Patria" video podcast. Minister Orantes highlighted that Guatemala stands as the sole nation in Latin America without specific legislation to regulate water resources. She underscored the critical importance of water, equating its significance in life to that of love, and stressed the urgent need for a structured framework to ensure equitable access for all Guatemalan citizens. "Currently, what we have, in the absence of a Water Law, is the law of the strongest," Orantes stated, emphasizing that whether in a village, city, or specific sector, the most powerful entity—politically or economically—is the one with access to water. She firmly stated that this imbalance should not persist, advocating for the human right to water and the tranquility of knowing that all Guatemalans can and should have water, today and always. The minister's comments call for immediate action to establish clear regulations for this vital natural resource.