Guatemalans prepare to vote in presidential election

By James Blears

Guatemalans go to the polls on Sunday to choose a new president, who will face the challenges of repairing a weak and sluggish economy as well as stemming the migration exodus. 

The main candidates are vowing to tackle inflation, which is spiralling at eight percent, with prices sharply increasing since the ravages of the pandemic, and too few jobs available. Crime, especially street gangs, is rampant and extreme poverty is widespread.

Thousands of Guatemalans have already given up and voted with their feet instead of at the ballot box. They are leaving Guatemala in droves in an exodus northwards, in search of an economic El Dorado in the United States, which is turning them back in waves.

The main candidates

Although a low turnout is expected, more than nine million Guatemalans are registered to vote and it is voluntary. The election is for president, vice president, 160 members of Congress, 20 seats in the Central American Parliament, and hundreds of local jobs. 

The three main candidates are:

Former first lady Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope Party. Twice before she sought the top job and ended up as runner-up. She`s now allied with the ruling Vamos Party. She's pledging to create social programs to combat and alleviate chronic poverty. 

Edmond Mulet, a career diplomat, the candidate of the Cabal Party. His strategy is to boost the economy, education, and health care, whilst getting tough on crime. 

Zury Rios of the Valor Party, also a career politician and the daughter of dictator General Efrain Rios Montt.

An outright winner with fifty percent or more in round one is unlikely. So the top two will contest round two on August 20th. The winner will be inaugurated President on January 14th next year.