Election happenings in Guatemala

Prensa Libre

UNE and GANA claim to have successfully collected over one million signatures in support of Sandra Torres's candidacy in recent days. I can't imagine that the numbers are accurate - ~8%  of the entire population? She is going to need all the help that she can get as lawyers and other political parties are preparing to challenge her nomination with the TSE and in the Constitutional Court.

Anyway, at a rally in the Plaza de la Constitucion, Torres announced that her administration will tackle insecurity, unemployment, and poverty "with the same thrust and strength" as she has administered the country's social programs.

Juan Guillermo Gutiérrez and Carlos Zúñiga will represent the PAN in this September's election. The PAN has gone down hill after occupying the presidency with Alvaro Arzu (1996-2000). It currently counts on 13 mayors and 2 congressmen.

Zúñiga was all set to be CASA's presidential candidate up until last week. He left the party because the other members were not interested in forming electoral alliances to compete this year.

Viva is going all in with Harold Caballeros for president. Enrique Godoy was to be its candidate for Guatemala City, but the party has decided to instead focus on the presidency and the congress. Godoy is now being support by the Citizen Compromise civic committee.