GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — The Guatemalan government’s clumsy interference in its presidential election has shone a spotlight on a country whose struggles with endemic corruption had received limited international attention.
President Alejandro Giammattei was deeply unpopular at home, but apart from occasional statements of disapproval from the United States and Europe, he had managed to consolidate his control of the justice system without much consequence.
It was a dramatic transformation for a country that until four years ago hosted an aggressive and productive United Nations-backed anti-corruption effort. But since this mission was forced by Giammattei’s predecessor, the president had systematically put in loyalists to replace the prosecutors and judges who led this fight against corruption. Even those who had become critical of the zealous effort to fight corruption now admit that the situation in the country is much worse now.
Then came the June 25 presidential election, which came as a shock to Guatemalans and outside observers. Before the vote, all polls indicated that there would be a second round between a narrow range of candidates between the right and the far right.
But with the number of invalid votes, many cast in protest, beating all 22 candidates, Bernardo Arévalo of the progressive seed movement came second, securing his place in the second round on August 20. Suddenly, there was a real possibility of choice for Guatemalans who want to change the status quo.
Katya Salazar, executive director of the Due Process Foundation, said Arévalo’s surprise endorsement was “a show of discontent” in the Central American country and shook the entrenched power structure all the way to the president.
“I think the fear clouded him, blinded him, and I think he thought it would be like always,” Salazar said.
Late Wednesday, a federal prosecutor announced that the Seed Movement had been suspended for allegedly violating election laws during its formation. Prosecutors followed up Thursday morning by raiding the offices of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal just hours after certifying the election results that put Arévalo in the second round.
The uproar was immediate. In addition to statements of concern from the United States, the European Union and the Organization of American States, criticism has come from other Latin American governments as well as Guatemala’s most powerful private business association.
Even Arévalo’s second-round opponent, conservative Sandra Torres, joined in, announcing she would suspend campaign activities in solidarity because the competition was uneven as authorities continued the seed movement.
Torres’ ONE party has been a key force in enabling Giammattei to advance her legislative agenda, but it appears she felt the attack on the Seed party could undermine her own candidacy.
“We want to show our solidarity with the voters of the Seed party and also with those who came to vote,” she said. “As a candidate, I want to compete on equal terms.”
Shortly thereafter, the Constitutional Court, the highest court in the land, dealt another blow by granting the Seed Movement’s request for a preliminary injunction against a lower court’s suspension of its legal status. This quickly, albeit temporarily, lowered tensions.
Giammattei, who was not allowed by law to seek re-election, went into hiding. His office released a statement saying it respects the separation of powers and would not be involved in any legal proceedings.
Hundreds of people demonstrated outside the Attorney General’s office in the afternoon.
“We are tired of corruption in Guatemala,” said Adolfo Grande, a 25-year-old repair technician. “We want them to let us choose and not impose whoever they want on us.”
Dinora Sentes, a 28-year-old sociologist, said she supported the seed movement but was protesting in defense of Guatemala.
“It’s not about defending a party but rather an entire country,” she said. “We have so many needs in terms of education, health, urgent necessities to satisfy.”
Arévalo thanked the Constitutional Court as well as the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which promised to defend the will of voters against government interference.
“The corrupt who tried to steal these elections from the people now find themselves marginalized,” he said. “Today we start the first day of the campaign.”
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Sherman reported from Mexico.