The battle for democracy is far from over. It is not even a given that the peaceful transfer of power will take place. The weeks ahead will be critical.
Claudia Méndez, Irma A. Velásquez Nimatuj, and Marielos Chang each contribute their own short analysis, in Americas Quarterly, about the challenges ahead after a momentous victory for an anti-corruption candidate promising change.
Bernardo Arévalo of the center-left Movimiento Semilla party soundly defeated former First Lady Sandra Torres in Sunday’s presidential runoff, by a margin of 58% to 37%. Arévalo—an academic, former diplomat and son of a famed revolutionary president—campaigned as an outsider willing to combat corruption with moderate but meaningful reforms.
Endemic corruption and widespread poverty were top of mind for voters. Torres has signaled that she will challenge the results, and Arévalo has warned that criminal groups may try to prevent him from assuming the presidency in January.
You can read each of their Reactions, here, Reaction: Arévalo Wins Presidency in Guatemala.
Categories: Corruption, Criminalisation, Guatemala, Impunity, Justice, Presidential Elections
Guatemala Solidarity Network 
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