Social Democrat Bernardo Arevalo won the second round for the presidency in Guatemala. According to the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE), the 64-year-old won by a clear lead on Sunday after counting almost all votes with 59 percent against his rival Sandra Torres. Torres, who also belongs to the Social Democrats, received about 36 percent of the vote.
“The Guatemalan people spoke loud and clear,” Arévalo told reporters. In a speech he spoke out against corruption. The winner of the election also stated that the presidents of the two neighboring countries Mexico and El Salvador had already contacted him to congratulate him and discuss a joint program. The newly elected president thanked social media with the words: “Long live Guatemala!”
Electoral Court: “Historic Turnout”
Outgoing right-wing president Alejandro Giammattei sent his congratulations via Twitter (X) urging Arévalo to “start an orderly transition the day after the official confirmation of the results”. According to the electoral court, “no significant incidents” were reported on Sunday. The TSE said the turnout was “historic” without giving further details.
The second election became necessary in the country that suffers from poverty, corruption and violence after Arevalo surprisingly finished second behind Torres in the first round of voting on June 25. The 64-year-old is the son of the country’s first democratically elected president, Juan José Arevalo (1945-1951). He had promised to improve the education system and to fight violence and misery. He was considered the favorite for the second ballot in polls.
Expert: “A new era is dawning for our country”
“Mr Arevalo’s victory means the defeat of the old politics, the ruling party,” said independent political scientist Miguel Ángel Sandoval. “A new era is dawning for our country and we must mobilize for a peaceful transition.”
The defeated Torres had already unsuccessfully applied for office three times. The 67-year-old was formerly married to President Alvaro Colom (2008 to 2012) and campaigned against violent crime and poverty. Torres positioned himself as center-left, but had the support of the right and evangelicals, and delivered more conservative speeches.
“We will have to see if Sandra Torres admits her defeat, but it will be a long time before she takes office. It will be a complex time,” said Francisco Rojas, rector of the University for Peace in Costa Rica. The former president, Giammattei, explains his office in mid-January, ending the 12-year rule of the right-wing political camp in the Central American country.
Prosecutors took action against Arevalos before the second round of the elections
Arevalos’ spectacular rise has worried the country’s business and political elites, who see him as a threat to their interests. Since Arevalo entered the second round, the prosecutor’s office has taken more and more action against him. For example, in July, at the request of the Attorney General, a judge suspended the registration of Arevalo’s party due to alleged irregularities in the registration of its members. The constitutional court suspended this decision, which was criticized at home and abroad, the next day and the Supreme Court overturned it completely on Friday.
Huge sums of money flow from emigrants to Guatemala
Thousands of Guatemalans migrate to the United States every year because of poverty and violence. The amount of money they transfer from the United States to their families in Guatemala rose to $18 billion last year, making them 19 percent of Guatemala’s gross domestic product.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
