Guatemala, October 14, 2011. Thelma Esperanza Aldana Hernández pledged to strengthen the Judiciary (OJ), promote the career system in the Judiciary, work to allow women to have access to justice, and fully respect the constitution and the law. Aldana took over the presidency of the Supreme Court of Justice for the 2011-2012 period.

Aldana emphasized the need to strengthen the justice system so that Guatemalans, especially women, can have access: "I shall work to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women."

She also drew attention to the need to allocate sufficient economic resources to the OJ to improve the services it provides and hence afford the population the opportunity to have prompt and fair justice.

Aldana affirmed that she would seek a rapprochement with the executive branch, Congress, and justice sector institutions in order to achieve further justice administration progress in the country.

Furthermore, she pledged to respect the law and the Constitution in the judicial rulings she issues as the head of the SCJ. She called on judges to act ethically, with good repute and honestly as well as ruling in accordance with the law.

Aldana also indicated that one of her first steps will be to promote the career system in the Judiciary and implement a work system based on results and quality in order to influence the performance of judges.

During her career at the Supreme Court, Aldana has served, inter alia, as an official, a notifier, a clerk, and a member of the Judicial Discipline Board of the Court of Appeals.

At the inauguration of Aldana as President of the SCJ, the following individuals were present: Vice-President of the Republic, Rafael Espada; President of Congress, Roberto Alejos; Commissioner Francisco Javier Dall'Anese Ruiz; judges of the Constitutional Court (CC) and the OJ, representatives of the Guatemalan diplomatic corps, and representatives of national and international organizations.