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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

☆ 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

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 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

"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

Police officers stand guard at the Constitucion square, ahead of Sunday's presidential election, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 19, 2023. Guatemalans now represent the largest number of Central Americans seeking to enter the United States. "I hope that everything is calm, that democracy wins, that there is no fraud or political issues ... and that our country gets ahead more than anything," said Ardem Villagran, 58, a merchant in Guatemala City. Outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei has vowed to ensure an orderly vote and transition of power. Reporting by Cassandra Garrison in Guatemala City, additional reporting by Herbert Villarraga; Editing by Drazen Jorgic and Cynthia OstermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pilar Olivares, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Ardem Villagran, Alejandro Giammattei, Engel, Eladio Loizaga, Eric Olson, Olson, Cassandra Garrison, Herbert Villarraga, Drazen Jorgic, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Central, U.S . State Department, of American States, OAS, Seattle International Foundation, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, United States, June's, Central America, U.S

☆ 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

☆ Guatemalan presidential candidate Arevalo seen winning runoff with 61%, poll finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Anti-graft presidential candidate of the Semilla political party Bernardo Arevalo holds a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Sumpango, Guatemala, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo is seen winning an August 20 runoff election backed by 61% of valid votes, followed by former first lady Sandra Torres, according to a CID Gallup poll published on Wednesday. Arevalo, an ex-diplomat who is running on an anti-corruption platform, scored a surprise second place in June's first round, finishing close behind Torres. "Our growth trajectory continues, as more of us now want change in Guatemala," the candidate said on social messaging platform X. The poll surveyed 1,819 adults face-to-face between August 4 and 13 with an estimated margin of error of plus or minus 2.3%.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Torres, Sofia Menchu, Raul Cortes, Valentine Hilaire, Sarah Morland Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Gallup, Organization of American, CID, Thomson Locations: Sumpango, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, June's

☆ Latin Americans fall prey to more online scams as cybersecurity lags
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Carolina Pulice | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Online scams in Brazil jumped 65% last year to over 200,000, according to data from the Brazilian Public Security Yearbook published last month. And across Latin America, online frauds and cyberattacks are at an "all-time high," says cybersecurity company Tenable, posing an urgent problem for a well-connected region. "Latin America is a priority target because it has a very connected population, which means that they are always exposed," said Claudio Martinelli, managing director for Latin America for Kaspersky. In a ranking of 93 countries on cyberthreat risks compiled by fraud prevention software SEON, nine of the 10 Latin American countries were ranked in the bottom half. Three Latin American countries - Honduras, Nicaragua and Venezuela - were seen among the 10 countries with the highest risks for cyberthreats.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Gabriella Batalha didn't, Batalha, Kerry, Ann Barrett, Barrett, Claudio Martinelli, SEON, Tenable, Ransomware, Marcos Simplicio, Carolina Pulice, Brendan O'Boyle, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, MEXICO CITY, YouTube, Brazilian Public Security, International Telecommunication Union, Organization of American States, America, Kaspersky, Costa, University of Sao, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Instagram, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, America, Latin America, Caribbean, Peru, Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Venezuela, University of Sao Paulo

☆ Reaction to killing of Ecuador presidential candidate Villavicencio
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

QUITO, Aug 9 (Reuters) - The following are reactions to the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on Wednesday. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio speaks during a campaign rally in Quito, Ecuador August 9, 2023. AMBASSADOR TO ECUADOR MIKE FITZPATRICK"I am deeply dismayed to learn of the assassination of Fernando Villavicencio, presidential candidate and fighter against the corruption and narco-criminals who have done so much damage to Ecuador." PARAGUAY'S PRESIDENT-ELECT SANTIAGO PENA"We repudiate and condemn the assassination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio. HONDURAN PRESIDENT XIOMARA CASTRO"We strongly condemn the assassination of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio.

Persons: Fernando Villavicencio, GUILLERMO LASSO, Mayor Intriago, Fernando, RAFAEL CORREA, LUISA GONZALEZ, DANIEL NOBOA AZIN, XAVIER HERVAS, Karen Toro, MIKE FITZPATRICK, SANTIAGO PENA, XIOMARA CASTRO, Alexandra Valencia, Isabel Woodford, Valentine Hilaire, Caroline Pulice, Lincoln Organizations: OF, AMERICAN STATES, REUTERS, U.S, AFFAIRS MINISTRY, Ecuadorian, MINISTRY OF, Thomson Locations: QUITO, OF ECUADOR, Ecuador, Quito, Government, Chile, Ecuadorian Government, Mexico City

☆ Guatemala president meets with OAS head, says committed to ensure elections
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei meets with the Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote, in Guatemala City, Guatemala August 1, 2023. Almagro is set to stay in the Central American country until August 4. Guatemala is scheduled to hold a presidential runoff election on Aug. 20, with anti-graft candidate Bernardo Arevalo facing off against former first lady Sandra Torres. The government guaranteed to OAS authorities it has the appropriate budget and can provide the infrastructure and security needed for electoral authorities to carry out the vote, according to a government statement on the meeting. Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by Brendan O'BoyleOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alejandro Giammattei, Luis Almagro, Read, Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Sandra Torres, Sofia Menchu, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: Organization of American States, GUATEMALA CITY, Organization of American, Central American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala, Guatemala City, Presidencia, GUATEMALA

☆ Guatemala anti-graft candidate Arevalo seen winning presidential runoff -poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Anti-graft presidential candidate of the Semilla political party Bernardo Arevalo holds a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Sumpango, Guatemala, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File PhotoGUATEMALA CITY, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo is seen winning an Aug. 20 runoff election with 63% of valid votes against his rival, Sandra Torres, according to a CID Gallup poll published on Wednesday by a local think tank. Arevalo won a surprise second place in the initial round in June, finishing close behind Torres, a former first lady. CID Gallup's poll found that 54% of respondents considered Torres "corrupt" and a "liar," compared to 15% and 13%, respectively, for Arevalo. Arevalo led the poll in every age group, region, and education level.

Persons: Bernardo Arevalo, Cristina Chiquin, Sandra Torres, Arevalo, Torres, Luis Von Ahn, Sofia Menchu, Raul Cortes, Sarah Morland, Stephen Eisenhammer, Conor Humphries Organizations: REUTERS, GUATEMALA CITY, Gallup, of American, CID, Liberty and Development Foundation, Thomson Locations: Sumpango, Guatemala, GUATEMALA, Arevalo, Guatemalan

☆ Bahamas promises to join Kenya in security force in Haiti as support grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks about the Black Sea grain corridor outside U.N. Security Council at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.S., July 17, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoAug 1 (Reuters) - The Bahamian government on Tuesday welcomed Kenya's decision to lead a multinational force in Haiti and committed 150 people to support the effort if the United Nations authorizes the force. "The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized by the United Nations Security Council," the ministry said in a statement. It added the Bahamas looks "forward to cooperating with hemispheric partners including the United States and Canada." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday commended Kenya for "considering to serve as the lead nation" for the multinational force and expressed support for its authorization from a UN Security Council Resolution.

Persons: Antonio Guterres, Brendan McDermid, Kenya's, General Antonio Guterres, Alfred Mutua, Antony Blinken, Haiti's, Ariel Henry, Brendan O'Boyle, Jasper Ward, Anthony Esposito, Chris Reese Organizations: Security, REUTERS, Bahamian, United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Kenyan Foreign, UN Security, American States, Haitian, Thomson Locations: U.N, New York City, U.S, Haiti, Bahamas, Kenya, United States, Canada, Washington, Jasper

☆ OAS chief flags 'clear interference' in Guatemala election ahead of visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 26 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) chief Luis Almagro will meet with authorities and politicians in Guatemala next week, he said on Wednesday, as concerns escalate over alleged government interference in the upcoming presidential runoff vote. The OAS, which monitored the first round, had backed the results as legitimate. "We have expressed ourselves emphatically on multiple occasions against the repeated attempts to alter the will of the people and the attacks on the electoral authorities," Almagro said in a special OAS session to discuss the election. "This is an electoral process that has suffered clear interference of internal actors that hindered its normal development," he said. Irma Palencia, the head of Guatemala's electoral court, said she has asked the OAS to continue monitoring the election.

Persons: Luis Almagro, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo's, Sandra Torres, Almagro, Alejandro Giammattei's, Arevalo, Torres, Irma Palencia, Sofia Menchu, Sarah Morland, Daina Beth Solomon, Jonathan Oatis, Bill Berkrot Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, OAS, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala

☆ UN experts arrive in Honduras to explore anti-corruption mission installation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TEGUCIGALPA, July 9 (Reuters) - A UN mission of experts arrived in Honduras to examine the establishment of an international anti-corruption mission in the Central American nation, which is plagued by widespread corruption that exacerbates poverty and immigration, Honduran authorities announced Sunday. Leftist President Xiomara Castro pledged during her campaign to install an anti-corruption commission known as the International Commission Against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras (CICIH). The length of the mission's stay in Honduras to meet with various sectors was not specified. The CICIH would be the second anti-corruption commission to operate in Honduras. The mission left Honduras in 2020 after the OAS failed to reach an agreement with the Hernandez government to extend its stay.

Persons: Xiomara Castro, Eduardo Enrique Reina, Obama, Juan Orlando Hernandez, Hernandez, Gustavo Palencia, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Leslie Adler Organizations: UN, Central, Honduran, International, Corruption, United Nations, Honduran Foreign, Organization of American States, Thomson Locations: TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Central American, Honduran, United States

☆ OAS urges Guatemalan authorities to move forward with election process
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-08 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

According to preliminary results, anti-graft candidate Bernando Arevalo bucked forecasts to earn 11.8% of the vote, enough to secure a spot on the upcoming ballot. He trailed only behind former first lady Sandra Torres, with 15.8% of the vote. "The Mission verified that no serious irregularities were revealed and that no significant changes were registered with respect to the preliminary results of Sunday, June 25," the OAS said in a statement. However, on Friday night, the CSJ resolved to extend the suspension of the results for 10 more days. The electoral process in the Central American country has been strongly criticized by international and national organizations due to this unprecedented suspension of the official results.

Persons: Bernando Arevalo, Sandra Torres, CSJ, Torres, Arévalo, Sofia Menchu, Anna, Catherine Brigida, Franklin Paul Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Guatemalan Constitutional, Central American, Franklin Paul Our, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemalan

☆ Insight: Catholic clergy report surveillance, beatings amid Nicaragua's crackdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( David Alire Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's five-year campaign against the Catholic church has intensified since February, according to interviews with five priests inside and outside the country. This week's brief release of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez raised hopes for a turning point. The priests describe heavy surveillance of church services by police or civilian members of government-sponsored community councils, especially since Easter. His latest restrictions seem aimed at silencing priests, Erick Diaz, 33, a Nicaraguan priest in exile in Chicago, said. Nine church leaders inside and outside Nicaragua did not respond to interview requests for this story.

Persons: Daniel Ortega's, Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez, Mexican Bishop Ramon Castro, Pope Francis, Nicaragua's, Ortega, Rosario Murillo, Bishop Alvarez, Alvarez, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, Brenes, Martha Patricia Molina, Molina, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Erick Diaz, David Alire Garcia, Philip Pullella, Ismael Lopez, Suzanne Goldenberg Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Sunday, Nicaraguan, Catholic, Vatican, Reuters, Organization of American, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Nicaraguan, Managua, Nicaragua, Mexican, Eastern Europe, Matagalpa, Texas, Leon, Vatican, Chicago, Rome, San Jose

☆ OAS to resend observer mission to Guatemala after court orders election review
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

GUATEMALA CITY, July 3 (Reuters) - The Organization of American States (OAS) said on Monday it will send its election observer mission back to Guatemala after the country's constitutional court called for a review of the election's first round. Some analysts expect Arevalo to win the run-off due to Torres' unpopularity in the voter-dense capital, Guatemala City. "Given the recent resolution of the Constitutional Court... the mission has decided to deploy again in Guatemala," OAS said in a statement. It added the observer mission will be present during the review process and "will continue to gather relevant information" ahead of the run-off. "The mission considers it of vital importance that the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box be respected," the OAS added.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Arevalo, Torres, Antony Blinken, Carolina Pulice, Sofia Menchu, Stephen Eisenhammer, David Gregorio Our Organizations: GUATEMALA CITY, of American States, Constitutional, Sunday, Thomson Locations: GUATEMALA, Guatemala, Guatemala City, United States

☆ US warns interference could undermine Guatemala election
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

July 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. is deeply concerned about efforts to interfere with Guatemala's first-round presidential election result, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday, a day after Guatemala's top court ordered ballots be reviewed. Sandra Torres, a former first lady who won the first round, has alleged votes were manipulated. Bernardo Arevalo, who bucked forecasts to become a close runner-up to Torres, described Torres' vote review request as lacking legal merit and endangering the electoral process. Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Sunday said it would abide by the court decision and instruct its local branches to review the ballots within five days. Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon in Mexico City and Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Josie KaoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Guatemala's, Antony Blinken, Blinken, Sandra Torres, Bernardo Arevalo, Torres, Daina Beth Solomon, Sofia Menchu, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Josie Kao Organizations: Organization of American, Foreign, European Union, Electoral, Sofia, Thomson Locations: U.S, Guatemala's, Mexico City, Guatemala City

☆ Guatemala court orders presidential ballot review, opposition cries foul
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Sofia Menchu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Torres took 15.8% of the vote in the June 25 round, with Arevalo close behind with 11.8%. Some analysts expect Arevalo to win the runoff due to Torres' unpopularity in the voter-dense capital, Guatemala City. The court said it would then determine whether to take the rare step of mandating a recount. Arevalo said he would ask Guatemala's electoral court to annul the top court's decision, which he described as lacking legal merit and dangerous to the electoral process. In the days after the vote, Torres said she was concerned that votes had been manipulated with a faulty software system to favor Arevalo's party, Semilla.

Persons: Sandra Torres, Read, Bernardo Arevalo, Torres, Arevalo, Alejandro Giammattei's Vamos, Sofia Menchu, Daina Beth Solomon, William Mallard Organizations: National Unity of, GUATEMALA CITY, Central American, National Unity of Hope, Guatemalan, of American, Thomson Locations: Guatemala City, Guatemala, GUATEMALA

☆ Venezuela blasts U.S. for critique over barred opposition candidate
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

CARACAS, July 1 (Reuters) - Venezuela's government on Saturday said it rejected the U.S. stance around the South American country's upcoming elections, calling it "interference," a day after the U.S. criticized Venezuela's decision to disqualify an opposition candidate. Maria Corina Machado, one of the favorites to win the Venezuelan opposition's nomination for president in an October primary, has been barred from holding public office for 15 years. In response, the U.S. State Department said Venezuelans should be able to act freely in the 2024 presidential elections, and disqualifying Machado "deprives" them of political rights. The Washington-based Organization of American States also rejected the decision to bar Machado and called for free and transparent elections. Reporting by Deisy Buitrago; Writing by Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Daniel WallisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Venezuela's, Maria Corina Machado, disqualifying Machado, deprives, Machado, Deisy Buitrago, Daina Beth Solomon, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Venezuelan, U.S . State Department, American, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, U.S, United States, Washington

Machado, a 55-year-old industrial engineer and former lawmaker, is leading polling for the 13-candidate primary, convened to select a unity candidate to face socialist President Nicolas Maduro in a 2024 election. A previous ban placed on her has been expanded because Machado supported sanctions by the United States on the Maduro government and backed former opposition leader Juan Guaido, the letter said. The ban does not affect Machado's ability to run in the primary because the opposition is holding it without state support. The opposition has said for years that bans are used by the ruling party to prevent political change. Machado's fellow primary candidate Henrique Capriles, who has twice run for president for the opposition, was barred from public office for 15 years in 2017.

Persons: Maria Corina Machado, Machado, Nicolas Maduro, Juan Guaido, Jose Brito, Maria Corina Machado Parisca, Brito, Henrique Capriles, Mayela Armas, Vivian Sequera, Julia Symmes Cobb, Daniel Wallis, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Venezuelan, American States, U.S, Thomson Locations: CARACAS, United States, Venezuela, Washington

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