Guatemala appeared to be moving towards a second-round run-off election following a presidential vote on Sunday.
Early results from 20% of polling stations counted showed center-left candidate Sandra Torres securing 23.33% of the vote compared to a second place finish of 15.70% for her conservative rival Alejandro Giammattei. To win, a candidate needed to win more than 50% of the vote. Nineteen candidates were contending and the top two voter getters will face off on August 11.
Despite tens of thousands of Guatemalans fleeing their country to seek refuge in the US, mass migration had not topped the candidates’ platforms. Instead, campaigning was dominated by the themes of gang violence, poverty and corruption.
Guatemala has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with 22.4 murders per 100,000 people. For its citizens, ending gang violence and alleviating widespread poverty are a priority.
One of the top candidates, ex-attorney general and anti-corruption campaigner Thelma Aldana, was barred from running due to allegations of irregularities during her stint as a public prosecutor. She has fled to the US, citing death threats. Voting in the town of San Jorge, in the department of Zacapa, was suspended due to similar threats and violent incidents against electoral authorities.
Voting in Guatemala presidential election ended on June 16
