The year 2015 was an eventful year for politics in Guatemala. In a report released on April 25, 2015 by the International Center Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), several high-ranking government officials were involved in customs fraud. The report pointed directly to the now ex-president and ex-vicepresident of the country as leading a secret group that stole millions from the country by negotiating customs taxes for various customers. Thousands of Guatemalans took to the streets to demand the resignation of both Otto Perez Molina, former president, and Roxana Baldetti, former vicepresident. The marches also demanded canceling general elections during September 6 due to the lack of trustworthy and honest candidates.
Even after the resignation of both the President and Vice-president, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal did not cancel general elections. On September 6, 2015 general elections took place in Guatemala amid fear and concerns in the general population. The biggest surprise was the indubitable victory of presidential candidate Jimmy Morales, from the right wing party FCN, on Sunday night’s preliminary results. Jimmy Morales, well-known comedian, has no political history and is a first time presidential candidate. Manuel Baldizon, presidencial candidate for the right-wing party LIDER was expected to win the elections early in the year before the corruption scandal erupted in late April. As Guatemala’s have taken the streets for weeks to demand end of corrupt leaders their efforts were hear loud and clear on September 6. Given no better option, voters have chosen a candidate with no prior political background rather than one of the well-known politicians. Morales is no better candidate but his background made him the “better than nothing” option.
Morales won primary elections with 23.85% of votes while Sandra Torres and Manuel Baldizon fight for the second place with 19.76% and 19.65% respectively. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal officially announce the second place winner on Friday, September 11. Baldizon accused the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of election fraud against him given his low voting percentage and has called for investigation.
There is both hope and fear with the popularity of Morales and the official announcement of Sandra Torres as the second place candidate. Many hope that Morales will bring a much-needed perspective in the Guatemalan government given that he comes from a regular non-political or military family. Others however fear that his lack of political experience will ease manipulation and corruption into his work plan. As the second and final round of voting nears on October 25, 2015 Guatemala maintains the energy and hope that whoever is elected will have to be at the mercy of its people as it should be.
