On August 20, 2023, the second round of elections took place with an unprecedented milestone for the political history of Guatemala. With 100% of the tallies counted by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE, which is the acronym in Spanish) of Guatemala and published by the local press, the candidate of the Movimiento Semilla party (which translates to t Seed Movement), Bernardo Arévalo, won the presidential elections with 58.01%. Arévalo, who will be the first president of the country who identifies as a democratic socialist, won against 37.24 % of the votes of his opponent in the runoff, the candidate of Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE), Sandra Torres.

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This resounding result not only marks a new chapter in Guatemala’s political history, but also reflects the citizenry’s desire for a profound change in the leadership and direction of the country. While the final numbers confirm his victory, the road to the presidency will have significant challenges.

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In the midst of distrust of the people towards institutions, the next president faces a political system besieged by corruption and the imperative need to restore faith in government and state institutions. The existing risk of possible interference in Arevalo’s inauguration in January of next year threatens to tarnish the emergence of a process of change desired by the citizenry and evidenced by this electoral result in Guatemala.

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National and international attention is also focused on how Arevalo will address fundamental issues such as economic inequality, universal access to health and education, protection of environmental resources, among others. Likewise, there is much expectation about the virtual president-elect’s leadership role in efforts to strengthen democracy and promote transparency in public management.

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The responsibility falls on the shoulders of the new leader and his administration to carry out profound reforms that promote the rule of law, strengthen accountability mechanisms and foster an adequate environment for sustainable development and social justice. At Alianza Americas, we join the international community that will be closely observing the steps taken in this regard.

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Despite Guatemala’s historical reluctance to celebrate electoral victories, the recent victory of the Movimiento Semilla party has brought citizens to the streets showing  support and hope. With this triumph, Guatemalan citizens aspire to the full development of a democratic culture rooted in society. Seventy years later, a new rebirth is on the horizon, reviving talk of a springtime of change and progress.

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The election of Bernardo Arévalo marks a historic opportunity for Guatemala, where the hopes and expectations of the citizenry are intertwined with the challenges inherent to a nation in the process of transformation. With a clear mandate, the future president faces the task of turning these aspirations into concrete actions that will lead to a brighter future for all Guatemalans.

Read our analysis of the election results

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Alianza Americas is the premier transnational advocacy network of Latin American migrant-led organizations working in the United States, across the Americas, and globally to create an inclusive, equitable and sustainable way of life for communities across North, Central and South America.