Election Surprise in Guatemala

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On June 25, 2023, Guatemalans went to the polls in a tense environment of uncertainty and political crisis for a general election that would also winnow down the presidential field. Unsurprisingly, former First Lady Sandra Torres Casanova came in first with over 15% of the vote and will head to the second-round runoff on August 20. The ex-wife of former President Álvaro Colom Caballeros (2008-2012), Torres has made it to the second round twice before: four years ago, in 2019, she lost to current President Alejandro Giammattei; and eight years ago, in 2015, she also lost to comedian Jimmy Morales (2016-2020). Yet this time, in a surprise outcome, she will face leftist Congressman Bernardo Arévalo de León, who came in second with over 11% of the vote after polls left him for dead. Analysis and opinion ensued.

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