3 things to know about Guatemala's elections

[Judi Lynn]

June 23, 20235:02 AM ET

Eyder Peralta



Supporters of Guatemalan candidate for the National Union of Hope party and former first lady, Sandra Torres, attend a campaign rally in Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala, on June 17.
Johan Ordonez/AFP via Getty Images

GUATEMALA CITY — Voters in Guatemala will take to the polls on Sunday to elect a new president, vice president and Congress. With almost two dozen presidential candidates to pick from, a runoff is almost inevitable.

And despite so many candidates, voters are apathetic.

Here are three things you should know.

The most popular candidates aren't even on the ballot
This election cycle has been shambolic in Guatemala. Three of the country's most popular presidential candidates have been declared ineligible to run in court decisions widely seen as political.

Thelma Cabrera, the leading Indigenous candidate, was expected to be a major contender. But earlier this year, Guatemala's election tribunal threw out her candidacy, saying her running mate had not produced a document showing a clean criminal and financial record.



Thelma Cabrera delivers a speech during a rally in Palín, Guatemala, in 2019. She was expected to be a major presidential contender this year, but a court threw out her candidacy.
Moises Castillo/AP

More:
https://www.npr.org/2023/06/23/1183593979/guatemala-elections-press-freedom

[brer cat]

1. What a mess!

Thanks for the post, Judi Lynn.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Isn't it, though? Can't imagine how much worse anything can be than Central America. So sad.

Oh, yes, I just remembered Haiti.

They all share having a huge population of black or brown skinned people who have been wildly abused, mercilessly exploited, and no one powerful to stand up for them.

Thanks for taking the time, brer cat.

[brer cat]

3. While reading that article, I was alternately fascinated

and horrified. With 2 dozen candidates for President, some crackpot can be elected.