GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) – Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo is predicted to win the August 20 runoff election with 61% of valid votes, according to a CID Gallup poll published on Wednesday. Arevalo, a former diplomat running on an anti-corruption platform, surprised many by earning a second place finish in June’s first round, closely trailing behind former first lady Sandra Torres.
“Our growth trajectory continues, as more of us now want change in Guatemala,” stated Arevalo on the social messaging platform X. “However, this is not a reason to become complacent, as the old guard has already shown that they are desperate and willing to do anything.”
Initially, Guatemalan authorities halted the processing of the election results and suspended Arevalo’s party, accusing them of illegally registering party members. However, the suspension was later reversed by the country’s top court.
The electoral process has sparked international concern, with the head of the Organization of American States highlighting “clear interference” with the vote. Despite this, the government has assured its commitment to ensuring peaceful elections.
According to CID Gallup’s poll, 52% of respondents who considered voting for Arevalo believed that the country would improve under his presidency. In contrast, only 6% of Torres’ supporters shared the same sentiment.
The poll, conducted face-to-face with 1,819 adults between August 4 and 13, had an estimated margin of error of plus or minus 2.3%.
Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Additional reporting by Raul Cortes; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Sarah Morland
Credit: The Star : News Feed
