Guatemala’s Chaotic and Contested Presidential Election Heads for a Second Round

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In the midst of violence, massive outward migration, and political struggles over rampant corruption, Guatemala held its general and presidential elections on June 16, 2019. Guatemalans went to the polls to choose the successor of President Jimmy Morales, who leaves office harassed by multiple corruption scandals. The contest was also tainted by the exclusion of former Attorney General Thelma Aldana (a favorite in the polls and a leader in the fight against corruption) for alleged irregularities committed when she was in charge of the Public Ministry (2014-2018). Neither of the two candidates moving on to the second round on August 11, 2018, former first lady Sandra Torres and the more right-wing Alejandro Giammattei, are clearly committed to the fight against corruption in Guatemala. Commentators formed a fairly downbeat chorus.

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