With more than 98 percent of the ballots computed, a second electoral round in Guatemala is certain to choose who will be the next president of the Republic for the next 6 years, after no contestant has gathered 50 percent of the votes. votes plus 1.
The two candidates who managed to advance to the second round were the former first lady of the center right, Sandra Torres, with 15.78 percent of the computed votes exercised yesterday, Sunday, June 25, when the general elections were held.
The second to advance was a surprise for many, as he was not emerging as one of the favorites in terms of the Guatemalan voting intention. Thus, Bernardo Arevalo, from the leftist Movimiento Semilla party is placed with 11.80 percent of the votes computed.
According to the Preliminary Electoral Results, issued by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala, citizen participation in this Sunday's elections was 59.99 percent, who cast 5 million 499 thousand 963 valid votes.
The summary shows that, of the votes cast, 4 million 158 thousand 536 ‒75.61 percent‒ were valid, while 385 thousand 014 ‒7.0 percent‒ were blank, and 956 thousand 413 ‒17.38‒ were invalid.
In addition, they have specified that the count resulted in 63,408 invalid votes and 4,138 challenges.
It should be noted that the electoral authorities contemplate an abstentionism of 40 percent, where three million 667 thousand 394 of those registered to cast their votes did not.
However, civil and human rights organizations reported the problems that many had in accessing or being able to cast their vote peacefully.
The final fight begins
"We are going to win, against whoever," warned Sandra Torres Casanova, early Monday morning. The former first lady and who today heads the list for the second round of elections, scheduled for August 20, already knows the way; it is enough to remember that four years ago, in the 2019 elections, she succumbed in the second round to the current president, Alejandro Giammattei.
Previously, in 2015, Torres Casanova lost in the second round against comedian Jimmy Morales, president between 2016 and 2020.
Given this, Sandra Torres hopes that the third time will be the charm and manage to inhabit the famous Casa Crema.
The task will not be easy. Although he did not position himself as the second in line, yesterday's elections clearly showed that the leftist Bernardo Arévalo de León, known as "Uncle Bernie" and leader of the Semilla Movement, has gained great strength in the Central American country, using urban areas as his base of strength.
Some call him the anti-corruption deputy, and he has focused his campaign on the fight for justice and social awareness.
Arévalo de León is also no stranger to the country's highest office, as he is the son of Juan José Arévalo Bermejo, considered one of the best presidents in the history ‒1945-1951‒ of the Central American country.
The candidate is a deputy and head of the Semilla faction in Congress, where with only five parliamentarians they have sought to fight and oppose the ruling party.
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