Guatemala City, Aug 20 (EFE).- The academic Bernardo Arévalo de León celebrated this Sunday the victory in the presidential elections of Guatemala and affirmed that his triumph is a cry of the people against the corruption that plagues the Central American country.
The president-elect, from the political party Movimiento Semilla, stated that “the ballot boxes have expressed themselves” and “what the people are shouting is enough of so much corruption.”
Arévalo de León added that he accepts “with great humility this victory” offered by the Guatemalan population with 59% of the total votes, according to data from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
The president-elect was accompanied by his vice president, the scientist Karin Herrera, at the press conference where he spoke after confirming his electoral victory.
“We are going to make a government for everyone and all Guatemalans,” added Herrera, who promised to “work tirelessly to achieve a new spring.”
Arévalo de León also addressed the voters of his opponent in the electoral contest, Sandra Torres Casanova, to indicate that his government will be “for everyone” without exclusion.
The academic was elected this Sunday as the new president of Guatemala after beating former first lady Torres Casanova in the second round of elections.
WITH 59% OF THE TOTAL VOTES
With 99% of the votes counted, Arévalo de León has 2.4 million ballots in his favor, which represents 59% of the total, while Torres Casanova has 1.5 million votes received (37%).
The arrival of Arévalo de León to the Presidency, however, could have obstacles facing the inauguration on January 14, for a period of four years.
This is due to the fact that the Public Ministry (Prosecutor’s Office), whose leadership is sanctioned by the United States, undertook several attempts to suspend the Seed Movement since July 12 due to an alleged case of false signatures in the party during its creation in 2018.
The situation led to the visit of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Luis Almagro, in the first days of this month, to verify the electoral panorama and meet various sectors, including the Prosecutor’s Office.
Despite this, the Public Ministry affirmed two days ago that it does not rule out issuing arrest warrants starting Monday against the top leaders of Semilla, including Arévalo de León.
The president of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, called Arévalo de León this Sunday to congratulate him on the electoral victory and invite him to schedule a transition meeting once the Supreme Electoral Tribunal makes the results official. EFE
jcm/rrt
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