Guatemala: Authorities tighten security ahead of presidential election runoff on Aug. 20 /update 3

Event

Officials are tightening security measures nationwide for the Aug. 20 second round of presidential elections. Authorities are deploying more than 42,000 officers to implement additional checkpoints, increase patrolling, and secure key locations. Heightened security will likely be in place at any campaign events and election-related facilities.

The run-off election will be a contest between Sandra Torres of the National Unity of Hope (Unidad Nacional de Esperanza, UNE) party, broadly seen as being friendly to the incumbent president Alejandro Giammattei, and the opposition candidate Bernardo Arevalo of Movimiento Semilla. Election-related unrest also remains possible, especially in the event of any further legal challenges to Arevalo’s campaign or any further controversies around the electoral process.

Security measures on election day will likely prompt road closures, particularly near polling stations, and may cause disruptions to travel and business operations. Security-related transit disruptions are possible into at least early Aug. 21. Clashes between supporters of rival political groups remain possible before, during, and after the vote, particularly in urban areas.

Context

The Guatemalan presidential elections have been marked by numerous disqualifications of opposition candidates, as well as the July 1 order for the TSE to investigate the validity of the first round of elections. On July 13, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Tribunal Supremo Electoral, TSE) reversed the ban that a judge ordered against the opposition Movimento Semilla party on July 12. The judge's order came shortly after the TSE validated the results from the first round of the June 25 presidential election, which cleared Movimiento Semilla's candidate Bernardo Arevalo to participate in the Aug. 20 runoff against Sandra Torres.

Advice

Exercise caution in the lead-up to and during voting, particularly near large gatherings and in the proximity of polling stations. Make allowances for possible localized transport disruptions near said stations. Avoid any demonstrations as a precaution. Heed the instructions of security personnel.