The surprise move by the Guatemalan Prosecutor's Office regarding the recent election has drawn criticism from the winner and the international community.
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| The Guatemalan Prosecutor's Office has denied the victory of Bernardo Arevalo (center) in the recent election. (Source: Reuters) |
On December 8, prosecutors Rafael Curruchiche and Leonor Morales of the Guatemalan Public Prosecutor's Office declared the election results, in which Bernardo Arévalo was elected President and Karin Herrera was elected Vice President, "invalid" due to "a series of irregularities" during the vote counting process.
Immediately, this statement was criticized by President-elect Bernardo Arévalo and the international community.
Speaking at a press conference on December 8, Arevalo called the accusations “baseless and ridiculous” and pledged to take office on January 14, 2024, as scheduled. “This coup attempt is clear. It brings us to a pivotal moment,” he said.
The head of the Supreme Electoral Court of Guatemala, Mr. Blanca Alfaro, also affirmed: "This result is irreversible."
Meanwhile, the Secretariat of the Association of American States (OAS) has criticized the move by the Guatemalan Attorney General’s Office. OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro stated that the denial of the results of the general election in Guatemala is an act of “undermining democracy” at the worst level, against the legitimate wishes of the people of this country. The OAS requested the administration of incumbent President Alejandro Giammattei to take timely measures to prevent it.
Previously, on August 28, the Supreme Electoral Court of Guatemala officially announced the results of the second round of presidential elections in the country. Accordingly, the two candidates of the Seed Movement, Mr. Bernardo Arévalo, were elected President and Ms. Karin Herrera was elected Vice President with 60.91% of valid votes.
Mr. Arévalo is the son of former President Juan José Arévalo Bermejo, who led Guatemala in the second half of the 1940s. During the election campaign, the politician pledged to fight corruption, increase public spending, especially in the health and education sectors, and prioritize a transparency agenda.
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