Guatemala election winner's party suspended

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【Summary】Bernado Arevalo declared winner of Guatemala election but his party, Seed Movement, is suspended. The future of Arevalo taking office on January 14 is uncertain. The election was tumultuous, with attacks against opponents of the country's elite. Arevalo won 60.9% of the votes in the runoff. He has faced allegations of voter fraud and reports of a possible plot to kill him. The party suspension comes after an investigation into alleged irregularities in the gathering of signatures.

FutureCar Staff Aug 29, 2023 12:26 AM PT

Guatemala election winner's party suspended

Bernado Arevalo has emerged as the winner of Guatemala's presidential elections, despite facing challenges from the country's elite and legal allegations. The progressive candidate was declared the winner by the top electoral tribunal, but the future of his presidency is uncertain due to the suspension of his Seed Movement party by another government body.

Arevalo, the son of a former president, gained popularity after the first round of voting in June. Although he didn't secure enough support to win outright, he won 60.9% of the valid votes in the runoff against right-wing candidate Sandra Torres, the former first lady.

However, his victory has been marred by legal disputes and allegations of voter fraud. The United States has sanctioned some officials involved in the judicial attacks against Arevalo and his supporters.

Concerns for Arevalo's safety have also surfaced, with reports of a possible plot to kill him. The Organisation of American States' human rights commission has called for Guatemala to provide protection for the president-elect.

The latest obstacle in Arevalo's path to the presidency is the suspension of his party, the Seed Movement. The attorney general's office is investigating alleged irregularities in the gathering of signatures for the party's formation. The Seed Party has three days to challenge the suspension, which would then be elevated to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

The international community and Guatemalans alike have expressed concern over the arrest warrants issued for electoral officials and the raids on the Seed Movement's headquarters. The legal proceedings were temporarily halted by the Constitutional Court until the official declaration of results.