Guatemala’s election observers sound alarm over threats to election judges ahead of crucial run-off vote

Election observers in Guatemala have voiced their apprehensions about threats directed at judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

They have urged security forces to ensure the judges’ safety, especially in the run-up to the presidential run-off and other pivotal elections.

So far, the observers haven’t identified significant disruptions. However, they have publicly denounced the intimidation against the electoral tribunal members.

On August 20th, Judge Blanca Alfaro declared her resignation from the tribunal, citing a hostile work environment.

A day earlier, she reported escalating threats over the last three months, which intensified recently.

Alfaro had been tipped as the potential successor to the current Tribunal President, Irma Palencia.

In early August, Palencia mentioned that the Public Ministry had initiated 13 criminal cases against the tribunal over alleged administrative and electoral crimes.

The timing of these investigations has raised eyebrows, especially when they coincide with probes into the Semilla Movement, represented by candidate Bernardo Arévalo.

Experts see this as a potential hindrance to the electoral process.

Gustavo Berganza, a member of the observation mission, remarked on the intimidation, expressing regret over such occurrences that haven’t been seen since the start of the current constitutional period in 1985.

The observation mission, composed of civil society organizations, has called on institutions and security forces to ensure the protection of tribunal judges.

On August 20th, around 9.4 million Guatemalans are registered to vote for the president, vice-president, and municipal representatives.

The presidential run-off is between Bernardo Arévalo of Semilla (center-left) and Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope (conservatives), with the winner slated to assume office on January 14, 2024, for a four-year term.