The Guatemala election court confirmed Bernardo Arévalo as the next president. Arévalo said he’s the official President-Elect of Guatemala for 2024-2028 on September 5.
The Election Court gave him the credentials starting January 14.
He thanked his social media followers and discussed hope for a better future. Irma Palencia, Election Court President, handed over the official document.
Judge Ranulfo Rojas gave the same to Karin Herrera, the future Vice-President. The win came after an election runoff on August 20.
Arévalo and current President Alejandro Giammatei met on September 4. They started the handover process in a private event.
Luis Almagro, the chief of the Organization of American States, was also there.
After this meeting, Arévalo criticized attempts to “disrupt the legal order and ignore the people’s will.”
He was referring to actions against his winning party, Semilla Movement.
On September 1, he also warned about a plot by some corrupt figures to prevent the new government from taking office.
He won the second round by almost a million votes. His opponent was Sandra Torres, former First Lady and National Unity of Hope party member.
Guatemala has a history of political unrest, including coups and protests. The country transitioned to democracy in the 1980s after a long civil war.
Semilla Movement
Many political parties exist, from far-left to far-right. The Semilla Movement is a relatively new player, promoting progressive policies.
Bernardo Arévalo’s win marks a shift in the country’s political landscape. His opponent, Sandra Torres, had run for office before.
She represents the National Unity of Hope party, known for its conservative views. The Organization of American States often oversees elections in the region.
Corruption remains a major issue in Guatemalan politics. This election gains attention as a potential turning point for the nation.