Presidential election in Guatemala: voters to choose between social-democratic and conservative

It is the trickle down that Guatemalan voters began to show up on Sunday, August 11, in the polls to elect the next President of Guatemala.

More than eight million voters are expected at the polls. They must decide between Social Democrat Sandra Torres and Conservative Alejandro Giammattei to succeed in January 2020 to President Jimmy Morales, whose mandate was tainted by scandals.

In Sumpango, a small town located about 40 kilometers west of the capital, and whose majority of the population is Maya, the four officials of one of the polling stations made a quick prayer at the beginning of the second round of the election, at 7am. It was only a good hour later, however, that they saw the first female voter of the day, dressed in a traditional costume, like most women in the area.

"A president for real"

Although they are disillusioned, voters still hope that the next head of state will finally be at heart to fight against the three major plagues of their country: corruption, criminal violence and misery.

"We want a president for real ... to keep his promises," said Lidia Subuyuj, a 43-year-old peasant woman.

The affluence was late, certainly, but the participation in the poll should be about 70%, according to a latest poll published Thursday by the daily Prensa Libre. The same survey gave the right-wing doctor, Alejandro Giammattei, a large lead in voting intentions.

In general, the enthusiasm was not at the rendezvous for voters. It is true that the two finalists are old drivers of Guatemalan politics and are far from being able to fill the aspirations for change.

Sandra Torres is on her third attempt and Alejandro Giammattei is seeking for the fourth time a presidential term.

"The only thing I hope is that the President, sitting down (in the Head of State's chair), will not forget people: when (politicians) are in the field they come to us, and after they forget us, "says Maria Raxon, a 30-year-old mother.

Disappointed by Jimmy Morales

Guatemalans were also scalded by President Jimmy Morales. By electing this television comedian without any political experience, in 2015, they thought they would renew the political class. Result of the races: he ends his only four-year term under investigation for illegal campaign financing.

"I do not trust politicians, because four years ago people wanted something different with Jimmy Morales and it was worse," says Kimberly Sal, a 19-year-old schoolteacher after all, slip his ballot into the ballot box.

Humiliating migration pact

Guatemala's necrotic corruption and the humiliating migration pact imposed by US President Donald Trump dominated the election campaign for the second round.

Both candidates say he will fight against corruption, but this assertion is met with skepticism from opponents and analysts, especially since Sandra Torres and Alejandro Giammattei have announced they want to do without the help of the CICIG. , the UN anti-corruption mission, declared undesirable for indicting the outgoing president.

To the nagging concern of the fight against corruption, has recently been added the humiliation of a migration pact ripped off by Donald Trump.

Despite the outcry raised in Guatemala by this agreement with vague terms and concluded in opacity, the two candidates have so far been very cautious in their comments and their intentions.

According to the White House, this state is now considered a "safe third country" with which asylum seekers will have to make their first steps.

For many NGO leaders, Guatemala can not receive migrants en route to the United States even though it can not even provide for its own population. Indeed, in Guatemala, 60% of the 17.7 million people live below the poverty line.

This country of the "northern triangle" of Central America provides itself, with neighboring Honduras and El Salvador, one of the largest contingents of candidates for the "American dream" and who jump on the roads to escape poverty and poverty. gang violence.

"Since there is no work in Guatemala, many people want to leave (in the United States), and it is sometimes hopeless and sad to see what happens, to see our Guatemalan brothers die or be murdered because that they are looking for a better life to help their families, "laments Emilio Canel, a 26-year-old peasant.

With AFP