In a decisive electoral victory, Bernardo Arévalo, a champion against corruption from the progressive Movimiento Semilla party, has emerged as the winner of Guatemala's

presidential election. Despite concerns over democratic regression that shrouded the contest, Arévalo secured the presidency, defeating former first lady Sandra Torres.

Shortly after preliminary results underscored his majority win, Arévalo addressed reporters, emphasizing that the people's voices have resonated loudly. He articulated, "This echoes the people's call for an end to rampant corruption. This shift in sentiment signifies the transformation we are witnessing in Guatemala. Today, Guatemalans hold onto hope, and we celebrate the restoration of hope in our nation."

The official data released by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal revealed Arévalo secured 58.01% of the vote, surpassing Torres' 37.24%.

Arévalo's triumph marks a remarkable achievement for the former diplomat, who revitalized a campaign marred by controversy due to the disqualification of opposition candidates critical of corruption. This decision raised concerns among human rights organizations and international allies.

Corruption has infiltrated various sectors of society and institutions, an issue that Arévalo underscored. He affirmed, "Our mission is to reclaim these spaces that have been compromised by corruption."

During a press conference, Irma Palencia, the president of the electoral tribunal, acknowledged the collective voice of the people as the evident margin of Arévalo's victory unfolded.

President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala congratulated Arévalo for his triumph in a post, extending an invitation to initiate a well-organized transition immediately after the official results are announced.

Arévalo, a center-left politician, harnessed the widespread discontent by pledging to combat corruption, address crime, alleviate malnutrition, and stimulate growth in a nation grappling with significant inequality. Achieving these objectives will present challenges for Arévalo, considering that the Congress is largely under the control of establishment parties, including Torres' Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza (UNE).

Unease emerged as UNE released a statement expressing doubts about the election results. The party's statement read, "UNE respects the Rule of Law and will provide a final stance when the results are transparently clarified, as we have advocated for regarding the use of the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission System (TREP)." Additionally, the statement questioned the endorsement of an irregular parallel system during the initial electoral round by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.

The victory by Arévalo comes amid concerns about the rise of kleptocracy, corruption, and a weakening rule of law, which have exacerbated inequality in Guatemala and driven many to seek refuge in the United States. The dissolution of the United Nations-backed anti-corruption commission, known as CICIG, in 2019 contributed to this situation.

Arévalo's success holds significance for the nation, given the myriad challenges it faces, including poverty, malnutrition, and curtailed media freedom. His victory represents a step towards addressing these issues and reinvigorating Guatemala's democratic institutions. Photo by Rigostar, Wikimedia commons.