Published on June 16, 2019
Guatemala is set to elect a new President today after a tumultuous campaign.
A total of 19 candidates are vying to succeed outgoing President Jimmy Morales. Former First lady and candidate for the centre-left Unity of Hope (UNE), Sandra Torres, is heading into the elections as a favourite, having built a clear opinion poll lead over second-placed Alejandro Giammattei of the conservative Vamos.
The country’s top anti-corruption campaigner, former attorney general Thelma Aldana, is not contesting the election. She was barred from running last month over allegations of irregularities dating from when she was a barnstorming public prosecutor.
Aldana, who fled to the United States after receiving death threats, had said that her exclusion was orchestrated by those she put in prison and their allies.
Around 40,000 police personnel have been put on , while the military has been mobilised to guard key buildings and jails.
Guatemala’s electorate of eight million is also voting in congressional and municipal elections today.