On Sunday, August 20, social democrat Bernardo Arévalo swept the presidential election results in Guatemala, obtaining 58% of the votes cast according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), leaving the former first lady Sandra Torres with 37%. As he now prepares to take office on January 14, 2024, Arévalo has expressed his commitment to fight corruption in the Central American country, which ranks high amongst countries most affected by the scourge.
The win marks a shift in Guatemala’s political landscape with the ushering in of a leader dedicated to tackling systemic issues affecting the country such as poverty, violence and unemployment. Arévalo’s stance on these issues has resonated strongly with the public and could be shown during the election as some 7 million Guatemalans were eligible to participate.
The new President was congratulated by two of his neighbors, Mexico’s Andrés Manuel López Obrador and El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, who reportedly offered their support and a possible collaboration to address citizens’ concerns on a regional level.
Arevalo’s party is under investigation by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office for allegedly falsifying signatures to be authorized by the Superior Electoral Court. However, it is likely that his runner-up Sandra Torres Casanova, of the National Unity of Hope (UNE), and the 1.1 million voters she earned, will accept the results.
The sentiment is shared by many Guatemalans who have high hopes for their nation and their newly elected leader. As Arévalo takes the helm of the country in January, citizens are optimistic that his commitment to fight corruption, reduce poverty levels and create jobs will be transformative for the future of their nation.
With information from Semana
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