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☆ How Columbia Sportswear Is Loosening Its Ties to Asia
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Peter S. Goodman | More About Peter S. Goodman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

His company, Columbia Sportswear, had long relied on plants in Asia to make its clothing, but that appeared increasingly precarious. A trade war undermined the benefits of using Chinese factories to keep Americans stocked with windbreakers and fleece pullovers. As Columbia’s head of apparel manufacturing, Mr. Burton, 52, was responsible for diminishing the risks. He visited Zuntex Apparel, a factory in Guatemala City that was already making modest quantities of Columbia’s hooded sweatshirts and button-down fishing shirts. When Mr. Burton reached the back of the cavernous plant, he gawked at an array of Italian-made machines capable of printing elaborate designs that could be pressed onto clothing.

Persons: Stan Burton, Burton Organizations: Apparel Locations: Guatemalan, Columbia, Asia, Central America, United States, Guatemala City

☆ Mexico logs sharp uptick in Venezuelan migrants amid latest surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jose... Acquire Licensing Rights Read moreMEXICO CITY, Oct 17 (Reuters) - More migrants crossed into Mexico last month, led by a sharp increase from Venezuela but also significant numbers from Guatemala and Honduras, Mexico's top diplomat told lawmakers on Tuesday. In testimony to Mexican senators, Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said that in the month of September alone, 60,000 Venezuelan migrants, 35,000 Guatemalan migrants and 27,000 Honduran migrants arrived in Mexico. The September data comes ahead of Sunday's migration summit in the southern Mexican town of Palenque hosted by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador where regional leaders will discuss rising U.S.-bound migration in Latin America. After U.S. authorities authorized in May more legal pathways to enter the United States, the numbers of migrants crossing Mexican territory fell abruptly. Barcena also noted that some 1.13 million migrants have so far this year reached Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, and that 1.75 million had reached the U.S.-Mexico border.

Persons: Cheila Gonzalez, Alicia Barcena, Andres Manuel Lopez, Gustavo Petro, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, Barcena, Raul Cortes, Isabel Woodford, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, U.S, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, United States, Ciudad Juarez, Villa Ahumada, Chihuahua, Mexico, Jose, MEXICO, Venezuela, Honduras, Mexico's, Palenque, America

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — One person died and at least two more were injured by gunshots near a pro-democracy demonstration in Guatemala on Monday, local authorities said. Victor Gomez, spokesman for the volunteer firemen in Malacatan, near the border with Mexico, said it was not clear whether the victims were protesters themselves, or just caught nearby. The incident is the latest violent episode after 15 days of protests and roadblocks in the Central American country. On Sunday, Porras' supporters in Guatemala City called for violence against demonstrators blocking roads. They have called for the resignation of Porras, prosecutors Rafael Curruchiche and Cinthia Monterroso, and Judge Fredy Orellana.

Persons: Victor Gomez, General Consuelo Porras, Bernardo Arévalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arévalo, ”, Porras, Napoleón Barrientos, Rafael Curruchiche, Cinthia, Judge Fredy Orellana Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, National Police, Interior Department, Central American, Movement Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Malacatan, Mexico, Guatemalan, Guatemala City, El

☆ Fact Check: Graphic video of girl burned by mob is from Guatemala, not Israel
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

(Editor’s note: Contains links directing to graphic imagery in paragraphs two and four)A 2015 video of the lynching of a 16-year-old girl in Guatemala has been misrepresented online as showing a young Israeli woman being burnt by a “Palestinian mob” amid the ongoing war between the militant Islamist group Hamas and Israel. They burned alive a 14 year old girl that captures in Israel.” A screenshot of the clip was also posted on Facebook. However, Reuters traced the video to news reports of a 2015 incident where a Guatemalan teenager was lynched after being accused of being a part of a group that killed a taxi driver. Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre reported that the incident took place on May 12, 2015, in Río Bravo, Guatemala. The video of the young woman being tortured is from Guatemala and dates to 2015.

Persons: Read Organizations: Hamas, Facebook, hamas, Reuters, Guatemalan, Prensa Libre, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Israeli, Israel, Kibbutz Re'im, Southern Israel, Guatemalan, Río Bravo

☆ 'Shameful': OAS accuses Guatemala prosecutors of election interference
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Demonstrators block an avenue as part of a national strike to demand the resignation of authorities from the attorney general's office, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 10, 2023. Luis Almagro, the chief of the Washington-based OAS, called the ongoing investigation by the Guatemalan Attorney General's Office into the party of President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and the electoral authority an unprecedented attack on Guatemala's democracy. "The prosecutors' office has chosen to ignore numerous calls from the international community and its behavior violates democratic norms," Almagro said. Porras' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Gerry DoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Josue, Luis Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, General Consuelo Porras, Almagro, Porras, Alejandro Giammattei, Sofia Menchu, Kylie Madry, David Alire Garcia, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American States, Guatemalan Attorney General's, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Washington

☆ Guatemala's Arevalo says state using violence to counter protests, warns of possible 'siege'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Josue Decavele Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Guatemala's president-elect Bernardo Arevalo said on Monday the government is using violence to counter protests and create tension which could be used as an excuse for declaring a state of "siege," even as the government announced tighter measures. The attorney general's office has conducted raids on the buildings of electoral authorities and Arevalo's Semilla party headquarters and has moved to suspend the party. Late on Monday, outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei said on national TV the country would no longer tolerate street blockades, which he called illegal. "Many of the blockades in the west of the country have counted on the participation and assistance of foreigners," he said. He also called on Arevalo to meet with OAS mediators to ensure a peaceful handover on Jan. 14.

Persons: Josue, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Nelson Renteria, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo's, El Salvador, Guatemalan, Arevalo .

☆ OAS names mediators for Guatemala conflict that threatens transfer of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] People march to demand the resignation of powerful senior prosecutors accused of working to undermine President-elect Bernardo Arevalo's ability to take office, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 7, 2023. Former Minister of Defense of Uruguay Luis Rosadilla, and the OAS Secretary of Access to Rights and Equity Maricarmen Plata will lead the mission. Tens of thousands took to Guatemala's streets this week, demanding the resignation of powerful senior prosecutors accused of working to undermine Arevalo's ability to take office. Rosadilla and Plata will travel to Guatemala City "at the earliest possible date," and they will be joined by the representative of the OAS office in Guatemala, Diego Paz, the organization specified. Reporting by Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Writing by David Alire Garcia and Anna-Catherine Brigida; editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo's, Josue, Bernardo Arevalo, Luis Almagro, Uruguay Luis Rosadilla, Equity Maricarmen, Diego Paz, Arevalo, Consuelo Porras, Arevalo's, Porras, Sofia Menchu, David Alire Garcia, Anna, Catherine Brigida, William Mallard Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Saturday, Defense, Rights, Equity, Semilla, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, OAS, Uruguay, Guatemalan Government, Rosadilla, Plata, June's, Central

☆ Mexico president says will cooperate with Guatemala president-elect's administration
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Guatemala President-elect Bernardo Arevalo attends a meeting with judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal following a raid last Friday where the attorney general office seized boxes holding tabulations from general election voting, in Guatemala City, Guatemala October 2, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/ File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Mexico will cooperate with the incoming administration of Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday, after a fraught transition process that has drawn international criticism. "We will help Guatemala, and it will be reciprocal," Lopez Obrador said in a regular morning press conference, adding there was no basis for disagreements on the election. Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah MorlandOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez Obrador, Kylie Madry, Sarah Morland Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, MEXICO, Mexico, Guatemalan, Mexican

☆ U.S. says Guatemala ministry is interfering in election transition of power
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The ministry, which functions similar to the attorney general in other countries, raided the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Friday for at least 20 hours to seize boxes holding tabulations from general election voting. "The United States is gravely concerned with continued efforts to undermine Guatemala's peaceful transition of power to President-elect Arevalo," Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said in a statement. The Public Ministry said that it "acts in all cases with objectivity and impartiality to ensure strict compliance with the law." He has repeatedly complained of a "coup d'état" and persecution by prosecutors against him and his party, Movimiento Semilla. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva also on Sunday expressed concern about actions by the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Matthew Miller, Volker Türk, Drazen Jorgic, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Justice, GUATEMALA CITY, U.S . State Department, Public Ministry, State Department, Movimiento, United Nations, Human Rights, Public, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, GUATEMALA, United States, U.S, Geneva

☆ 'Atypical' rains kill at least 8 in Mexican state of Jalisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MEXICO CITY, Sept 25 (Reuters) - At least eight people were killed and another three were injured after a river in the Mexican state of Jalisco burst its banks following unusually heavy rains, another extreme weather event as climate change helps whip up ever deadlier storms. The "atypical" rains completely destroyed four houses and another 50 homes were being evaluated for damages, Gustavo Robles, who heads the municipality of Autlan de Navarro, said at a press conference on Monday. With climate change rainfall can increase or become more erratic, as a warmer atmosphere can hold more water vapor – allowing more moisture to build up before clouds finally break. Elsewhere in the region, Guatemalan authorities said on Monday that at least six people were killed after a river burst its banks in the midst of heavy rains that poured over the Central American country on Sunday. Before the Sunday rains, at least 29 people had been killed due to flooding in Guatemala this rainy season, data from its national disaster agency Conred shows.

Persons: Gustavo Robles, Autlan de Navarro, Valentine Hilaire, Michael Perry Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Local, Central American, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexican, Jalisco, Autlan, Guatemala

Public displays rejecting machinations by the attorney general’s office had been modest in the month since Arévalo’s resounding victory. Historically, Guatemala has scored among the lowest in Latin American countries in its support for democracy, according to the AmericasBarometer survey, which has been measuring attitudes there for three decades. But since the election, Guatemalans have seen attempts by losing parties and the attorney general's office to challenge the results. She said that Guatemalans' perceptions of democracy are very much intertwined with their perceptions of corruption. Now, more people "are betting on democracy,” Arévalo said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo, Guatemalans, Arévalo, d’etat, Sandra Paz, “, ”, Paz, “ I’ve, ” Rachel Schwartz, Schwartz, Sandra Torres, Consuelo Porras, Consuelo, Porras, ” Arévalo, __ Sherman Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Vanderbilt University's, Organization of American, Guatemalan, University of Oklahoma, la Constitucion, U.S, Movement, Associated Press Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Guatemala City, Ecuador, Peru, Mexico City

☆ Brazil's Lula warns United Nations of coup risk in Guatemala
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar Acquire Licensing RightsUNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned world leaders at the United Nations on Tuesday of the prospect of a coup in Guatemala, echoing U.S. concerns about risks to democracy in the Central American country after last month's election. "In Guatemala, there is a risk of a coup, which would impede the inauguration of the winner of democratic elections," Lula told the U.N. General Assembly. Lula's comments on Guatemala were surprisingly in line with Washington for a leader who has not always seen eye-to-eye with the United States. He also attacked the International Monetary Fund for not representing poor countries and the World Trade Organization for not averting increased protectionism in the world.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Mike Segar, Lula, Bernardo Arevalo, Francisco Mora, Mora, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Brad Haynes, Gabriel Stargardter, Anthony Boadle, Rosalba O'Brien, Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool Organizations: General Assembly, REUTERS, UNITED NATIONS, United Nations, Central American, General, Party, Prosecutors, Organization of American, U.S, Cuba, . Security, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, Reuters, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Guatemala, Washington, United States, Ukraine, New York, Sao Paulo

☆ US Calls for End to 'Intimidation Efforts' in Guatemala Ahead of Presidential Transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The United States urges Guatemalan authorities to end their "intimidation efforts" targeting election officials and members of the party voted to power in last month's presidential elections, the U.S. Ambassador to the Organization of American States said on Monday.

Organizations: MEXICO CITY, United, Organization of American States Locations: MEXICO, United States, U.S

CNN —Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arévalo de León has announced he is temporarily suspending the presidential transition process after Public Ministry agents raided electoral facilities and opened voting boxes. The president-elect denounced the raids, during which Public Ministry agents opened ballot boxes and photographed their contents, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The Public Ministry is investigating allegations that Movimiento Semilla – Arévalo’s Party – used forged signatures when it was seeking authorization as a political party. Giammattei said the presidency is willing to resume the transition process and described Arévalo’s decision to suspend it as “unilateral.”The Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala (TSE) held its own press conference to denounce the latest actions of the Public Ministry. Irma Palencia, the TSE’s president, said those actions had put the Guatemalan electoral system and democracy “at risk” and had violated the “civic rights of citizens expressed at the polls.”

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo de León, Alejandro, Giammattei, ” Arévalo, Arévalo, –, Consuelo Porras, “, ”, Irma Palencia Organizations: CNN, Guatemalan, Public Ministry, Ministry, Movimiento, –, Organization of American Locations: Guatemala, Republic of Guatemala

☆ Guatemala President-elect Arevalo suspends participation in transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Guatemala President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei attend a meeting as part of the presidential transition, in Guatemala City, Guatemala September 4, 2023. The announcement came after the top prosecutor's office in the Central American country raided facilities run by Guatemala's main electoral tribunal on Tuesday. Arevalo said his participation in the transition would resume once the "necessary institutional (and) political conditions are reestablished." "We reiterate our firm willingness to immediately resume the transition process as soon as the elected authorities request it," the government added. Shortly before electoral tribunal officials declared Arevalo the victor, his party Semilla was notified that a branch of the tribunal suspended the party over registration flaws.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei, Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei's, resoundingly, Semilla, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Carolina Pulice, Sandra Maler, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, REUTERS oka Acquire, GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, Organization of American States, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, REUTERS oka, GUATEMALA, Guatemalan

☆ Opinion | Guatemala’s Democracy Is Dead. Long Live Democracy!
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Francisco Goldman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In 1944, a student led revolution, which my mother and uncle were part of, helped usher in Guatemala’s decade of democracy after a century of dictators. I was born in Boston in 1954, the year a C.I.A.-led coup overthrew Guatemala’s elected government. But in 2001, three military officers were convicted of participating in his state-sponsored extrajudicial execution, a landmark verdict that seemed to herald a new era of justice. Efforts to build a working democracy by defending the rule of law and fighting corruption has been the central struggle of 21st-century Guatemalan politics. The commission dismantled 70 organized crime and corruption structures, and charged some 680 people, including two former presidents.

Persons: Guatemala’s, Bishop Juan Gerardi, Jimmy Morales, Morales, Giammattei, ”, Consuelo Porras Organizations: United Nations, Guatemalan Public Ministry, U.S, U.S . State Locations: United States, Boston, Latin America, U.S .

☆ AOC says the US should apologize for its history of interventions in Latin America: 'It's very hard for us to move forward when there is this huge elephant in the room'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said the US has to reckon with its history of interventions in Latin America. "I believe that we owe Chile, and not just Chile but many aspects of that region, an apology," Ocasio-Cortez told the publication. "I don't think that apology indicates weakness; I think it indicates a desire to meet our hemispheric partners with respect." "It's very hard for us to move forward when there is this huge elephant in the room and a lack of trust due to that elephant in the room," she continued. "Latin America, I believe, due to its proximity, was absolutely unique in US interventionism during the cold war, and that was under [secretary of state] Henry Kissinger and President Nixon," the congresswoman said.

Persons: Cortez, Alexandria Ocasio, New York Democrat —, Salvador Allende, —, Jacobo Árbenz, João Goulart, Fidel Castro, Castro, Henry Kissinger, Nixon, Augusto Pinochet, We're Organizations: Guardian, Service, New York Democrat, US, Operation Condor Locations: Latin America, Wall, Silicon, Alexandria, Chile, Cuban, Cuba, America, United States, Brazil, Colombia

☆ Guatemala president vows "orderly" power transition following election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo attends a press conference after prosecutors ordered a temporary suspension of Semilla party's legal registration, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 28, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei said Tuesday the path was set for an "orderly and transparent transition" of power following the presidential election, after a new bid to suspend the winning party sowed fresh doubts. Giammattei added that he would meet with President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, who was swept to victory vowing to tackle corruption, on September 4. "The doors are now open towards an orderly, transparent, and above all, efficient government transition," said Giammattei, speaking in a video message published online. Giammattei's statement came after a document from the citizens registry ordering a temporary suspension of Arevalo's Semilla party's legal registration caused new confusion over the election results.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Sofia Menchu, Isabel Woodford, Cassandra Garrison Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo

☆ Guatemala president vows 'orderly' power transition following election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo attends a press conference after prosecutors ordered a temporary suspension of Semilla party's legal registration, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 28, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei said on Tuesday the path was set for an "orderly and transparent transition" of power following the presidential election, after a new bid to suspend the winning party sowed fresh doubts. Giammattei added he would meet with President-elect Bernardo Arevalo, who was swept to victory vowing to tackle corruption, on Sept. 4. "The doors are now open towards an orderly, transparent, and above all, efficient government transition," said Giammattei, speaking in a video message published online. Giammattei's statement came after a document from the citizens registry ordering a temporary suspension of Arevalo's Semilla party's legal registration caused new confusion over the election results.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Alejandro Giammattei, Giammattei, Arevalo, Antony Blinken, Sofia Menchu, Isabel Woodford, Cassandra Garrison, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, States, Arevalo

[1/2] Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo of the Semilla party addresses supporters during his closing campaign rally, ahead of Sunday's presidential run-off, at the Plaza Central in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo, who won Sunday's presidential run-off by double-digits, is looking to retrace his father's footsteps more than 70 years after Arevalo senior broke a long period of dictatorship to become the country's first democratically elected president. "I'm not my father, but I'm traveling down the same road he built," Arevalo said last week during his campaign's closing rally. The family lived in Venezuela, Mexico and Chile before returning to Guatemala when Arevalo was a teenager. Arevalo took part in the pivotal 2015 protests, and a couple of years later helped create what would become the upstart Seed movement - Semilla in Spanish.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Guatemala's Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Juan Jose Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Alvaro Montenegro, Otto Perez Molina, June's, January's, Sofia Menchu, Diego Ore, David Alire, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Plaza Central, REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Central, Prosecutors, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Central America's, Uruguay, U.S, Venezuela, Mexico, Chile, Israel, Spain

☆ Guatemalan Front-Runner Calls for Democratic Renewal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Juan Montes | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

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Persons: Dow Jones Locations: americas

☆ Guatemalans Elect Center-Left Bernardo Arévalo as President
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Juan Montes | José De Córdoba | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones Locations: americas

CNN —Anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arévalo, from the progressive Movimiento Semilla party, appeared to have won Guatemala’s presidential election on Sunday, beating former first lady Sandra Torres in a race marred by fears of democratic backsliding. With more than 95% of the ballots counted, Arévalo won 59.1% of the vote compared to Torres’ 36.1%, according to official data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. A voter casts their ballot at a polling station during the presidential run-off election in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on August 20, 2023. Prosecutors and judges associated with the commission were arrested and investigated and many have since fled the country. Members of the media who have opposed corruption in their reporting have also faced legal consequences.

Persons: Bernardo Arévalo, Sandra Torres, Arévalo, Torres, Irma Palencia, “, ”, Alejandro Giammattei, Cristina Chiquin, Rafael Curruchiche, Department’s Engel, ” Curruchiche, José Rubén Zamora Organizations: CNN, Movimiento Semilla, Torres ’, Torres ’ Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza, Reuters, US, Central, United Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, Central American, United States, United Nations, Guatemalan

"We have waited for this moment for many years," said Carlos de Leon Samayoa, 27, as he celebrated on the streets of Guatemala City. Arevalo unexpectedly emerged out of political obscurity to build a large anti-graft movement with his Semilla party, after many other opposition candidates were barred from running. [1/9]Guatemalan anti-graft presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo, of the Semilla political party, poses for a photo during the presidential run-off election, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 20, 2023. "The ruling pact will likely continue to target electoral officials and Arevalo’s Semilla party with investigations ahead of January’s change in government," she said. POLITICAL TENSIONSBeyond his anti-graft policies, Arevalo said he wants to expand relations with China alongside Guatemala's longstanding allegiance with Taiwan.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Alejandro Giammattei, revel, Guatemalans, Arevalo's, Carlos de Leon Samayoa, Torres, Guatemala's, Pilar Olivares, Risa Grais, Arevalo’s, Eladio Loizaga, Giammattei, Ana María Méndez, Cassandra Garrison, Sofia Menchu, Herbert Villarraga, Diego, Drazen Jorgic, Stephen Eisenhammer, Miral Fahmy, Stephen Coates, Gerry Doyle Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, Central, Twitter, REUTERS, Eurasia Group, Organization of American States, Central America, Diego Ore, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan, United States, Guatemala, Americas, Guatemala City, June's, China, Taiwan, Taipei, Honduras, America

☆ Guatemalan president vouches for Sunday vote, promises orderly transition
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Guatemala's President Alejandro Giammattei makes a joint statement with his Taiwanese counterpart Tsai Ing-wen (not pictured), at the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura, in Guatemala City, Guatemala March 31, 2023. REUTERS/Luis Echeverria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Friday evening said he would work to ensure an orderly transition of power to whomever voters elect on Sunday in the final round of a tense presidential election. The comments address fears of election meddling after an effort to disqualify the front-runner's party ahead of the runoff vote. "I reiterate the commitment to promote an orderly, transparent and efficient transition process," Giammattei said in an address to the nation. Arevalo's surprise second-place finish in June's first round vote provoked calls for recounts by opponents.

Persons: Alejandro Giammattei, Tsai Ing, Luis Echeverria, Giammattei, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Arevalo's, Arevalo, Luis Almagro, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle, Sonali Paul Organizations: Palacio Nacional, la Cultura, REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, June's, Faro

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