The government’s attempts to influence the election have brought an unexpected opportunity for a candidate with a particular connection to the country’s history.
and an implacable government critic, was arrested and later arraigned on money-laundering charges that he denied; a judge has sentenced him with up to six years in prison. At the center of these arrests is the Public Ministry—Guatemala’s version of the Department of Justice—headed by María Consuelo Porras. She and her main deputy appear on a list of state and private actors who are sanctioned by the U.S. government for corruption and undermining democracy.
In disqualifying some candidates, the government did two inadvertent things: it helped clear the field and it alienated the public across the political spectrum. Around forty per cent of the country didn’t vote in the first round, and almost a quarter of the ballots cast were blank or voided. Many voters reacted against traditional candidates, while those supporting the “officialist” line split their support among several options.
Once the results were in, Semilla became the primary target of the government. The Constitutional Court, which is widely seen as a political ally of the current administration and its backers, ordered a highly unusual review of the ballots. By mid-July, however, the electoral tribunal had demonstrated a measure of independence and confirmed the first-round results. Then Consuelo Porras’s deputy, who is in charge of the office that Sandoval ran, announced that he was investigating Semilla.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Presidential hopeful Sandra Torres pitches experience as Guatemala seeks changeSandra Torres is pitching her two decades as a leading figure in Guatemalan politics as she tries to woo disenchanted voters ahead of a presidential runoff on Sunday and avoid a third straight election loss.
Read more »
Sandra Bullock ‘heartbroken, upset’ by fallout over Michael Oher’s lawsuit: reportBullock, who played Leigh Anne Tuohy in the hit 2009 film, is said to be “heartbroken and upset” over the shocking revelations from Michael Oher.
Read more »
Family upset over release of man convicted of killing Montgomery 13-year-oldThe man convicted of killing 13-year-old Ceyeria Lee was released days before the anniversary of her death.
Read more »
Guatemala: ex primera dama cierra campaña electoral ofreciendo ayuda socialSandra Torres, la ex primera dama que busca por tercera vez ganar la presidencia de Guatemala, cerró el viernes su campaña electoral ofreciendo ayuda social y preparando el terreno para un eventual resultado adverso.
Read more »
UFC 292: Does Sean O'Malley have a chance to pull the upset on Aljamain Sterling?Rarely is there a UFC title fight where one question is so preponderant: Does challenger Sean O'Malley even have a chance to defeat champion Aljamain Sterling when they fight Saturday in the main event of UFC 292 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, for the bantamweight title?
Read more »