18 Jun 2019 | 08:01 AM UTC
Guatemala: Presidential runoff election set for August 11 /update 2
Guatemala schedules runoff election for August 11 between Sandra Torres and Alejandro Giammattei; political rallies and associated disruptions possible in coming weeks
Event
Guatemala is expected to hold a runoff election on Sunday, August 11, after the first round of voting on Sunday, June 16, did not yield a definitive winner. With 98 percent of ballots counted, center-left candidate and former first lady Sandra Torres received 26 percent of the vote and conservative candidate Alejandro Giammattei won 14 percent.
Violent protests over preliminary results were reported in Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Escuintla, and San Marcos departments on Sunday, June 16, and Monday, June 17. Further clashes and other disruptions related to the election results and campaigning are possible in the coming weeks, including political rallies, protests, heightened security measures, and localized transportation and business disruptions.
Context
Guatemala is holding elections to determine the successor to President Jimmy Morales, who was the subject of a corruption investigation by the UN-backed International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), which he attempted to disband. Morales is barred from running due to term limits.
Advice
Individuals in Guatemala are advised to avoid public demonstrations as a precaution, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, and anticipate protests, rallies, a heightened security presence, and localized disruptions.
