Guatemala’s supreme electoral tribunal on Monday confirmed the victory of center-left candidate Bernardo Arevalo in the country’s presidential election, despite a new attempt to suspend his party, which has caused further confusion in the already tumultuous process.
Arevalo, a 64-year-old former diplomat and son of a former president, decisively won the second-round run-off on August 20th. However, prosecutors had previously threatened to disqualify his party, Semilla, from participating in the election, which led to widespread international criticism.
At a press conference, electoral tribunal officials officially declared Arevalo as the winner. However, questions were raised regarding a document published in the media by the citizens’ registry, which temporarily suspended Semilla’s legal registration.
During a late-night press conference, Arevalo condemned the suspension, stating that it was illegal and that his party would file an appeal the following morning at 7 a.m. He vowed that the Semilla Movement would not back down and accused the registry of engaging in political persecution against both his party and his candidacy. Arevalo added that he had only been notified of the suspension shortly before the official confirmation of his victory.
Arevalo expressed his expectation of a call from the current President, Alejandro Giammattei, to coordinate the transition and assume the presidency alongside his deputy, Karin Herrera, on January 14, 2024.
“These are the official results, and they are what matter in Guatemala,” emphasized tribunal magistrate Gabriel Aguilera.
Tribunal head Irma Palencia emphasized that the citizens’ registry was a subordinate authority and reiterated that Arevalo was officially recognized as the winner.
The tribunal granted Semilla three days to file a lawsuit against the suspension order, which, according to Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre, was once again requested by prosecutors.
Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador congratulated Arevalo on his victory in a government statement, expressing concern about the attempts to undermine the popular will as expressed in the election.
The Organization of American States (OAS) also released a statement asserting that the suspension of Semilla was unjustified and constituted an abusive interpretation of the law.
Previously, the OAS human rights commission urged the Guatemalan government to enhance the security of Arevalo and Herrera, citing threats against their lives.
(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Additional reporting by Carolina Pulice and Lizbeth Diaz; Writing by Sarah Morland; Editing by Leslie Adler, Stephen Coates, and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
