The São Paulo Forum plays its cards in Guatemala

June 25 is the date set for the general elections in Guatemala.

As always, the São Paulo Forum (FSP) will try to place one of its own in power in that country and put it at the service of 21st-century socialism.

Although there are several radical leftist options to satisfy the ambitions of the São Paulo Forum, none of them has a real possibility of winning the presidential elections; however, the FSP has chosen to support the socialist Sandra Torres, who has the credentials required by the international organization.

Just like Gustavo Petro in Colombia and Dilma Rousseff in Brazil, Torres is known for being a member of the Guatemalan guerrilla ORPA in the 80s under the pseudonym “Marta”.

Born in Melchor de Mencos on October 5, 1955, Sandra Torres is the daughter of the mayor of Peten, who was prosecuted for corruption.

During her time as a guerrilla, Torres reportedly maintained a close relationship with Rafael Augusto Baldizón Núñez, alias “Comandante Isaías,” who led one of ORPA’s guerrilla fronts. Baldizón is reportedly still his political advisor.

Before his assassination, Guatemalan journalist Hugo Arce left a letter in which he blamed his death on “Sandra Julieta Torres Casanova de Colom,” known as Marta in the guerrilla ranks of ORPA when she collected the opprobrious war tax through kidnappings, extortions, robberies and assaults”.

Shortly before her murder, Arce had published an article titled “Do you know who Sandra Torres is?” in which he denounced that “thanks to the large amounts of money she receives from drug trafficking, organized crime and people like the former private secretary of ‘Pollo Ronco’, (Sandra Torres) is crouched, waiting, thirsty for power, money and blood”.

Torres, who was married to former President Álvaro Colom, and has previously been a candidate for the presidency of Guatemala, was arrested in September 2019, accused of “illicit electoral financing and illicit association”.

Indeed, the Prosecutor’s Office reported that Torres was being investigated for the “unregistered financing” of her UNE party in the 2015 presidential election campaign, in which she was defeated against Jimmy Morales.

The investigations indicate that the resources not reported by the political formation to the electoral body were around US$3.58 million.

Torres’ promises to reach the presidency are based on a series of social programs inspired by those of the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brazil, who, together with Fidel Castro, founded the São Paulo Forum.

Guatemalans must be attentive and vigilant so that the São Paulo Forum does not take over their country, as it has already done with several regional nations.

This would mean a huge setback in the Central American country’s economy, freedoms, and human rights.

They must also ensure that electoral fraud is not committed in the upcoming June elections.

With information from LGI