Today is election day in Guatemala. While we often don't agree with its government, Guatadopt has a deep love and concern for the the country and its people. So here's a wish for a safe, calm, peaceful, and transparent election. It is hard for we Amerricans to understand what an accomplishment it is for Guatemalan citizens to be able to vote for their leaders and for that to be done in an environment free of intimidation and corruption. Not saying things are likely perfect in their system, just as they are not with ours. But the country has come a long way since the 1980s and here's hoping that continues.
Of more interest today than the presidential election, which will almost certainly come down to a Nov. run off between Alvaro Colom and Otto Perez Molina, is what happens in the congressional races. But whomever ends up in power, we sincerely hope that they focus the country's energies on ending corruption of all sorts, keeping the peace, and working to end the extreme poverty that plagues this beautiful, asset rich nation. I once met a guy in Antigua who was there learning Spanish after having spent three years with the Peace Corps in Africa. He told me that the poverty in Guatemala was more troublesome to him than that in Africa. He stated that "Africa is a desert with draught and few natural resources. But Guatemala is like the Garden of Eden. There's no reason why people should go hungry" (sorry if I mangled your exact words Steve). So my hope for Guatemala is that its new leaders work to address the basic inequities that exist so that all its people can enjoy the riches god blessed it with.
Peace!
Posted by Kevin at September 9, 2007 09:00 AMKevin, like usual you are so right. It is true that the congressional race is particularly more interesting, especially true when one of the candidates is Rios-Montt who, if he wins a seat, will be granted immunity from arrest.
This will be the true travesty of this election.
Marie, Guatadopt.com
Amen, Kevin. I couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted by: Donna at September 9, 2007 09:50 AMDepending on the account you read, 50-80 people associated with the presidential race have been assassinated, including political activists, campaign workers and party members.
May the violence, fear and despair be transformed into peace, hope and security for all Guatemalans.
Lisa G.
Posted by: Lisa G. at September 9, 2007 11:45 AMI am also hoping for a peaceful election for the people of Guatemala. Does anyone know the candidates positions on adoption? Is there someone we should be "rooting" for?
Posted by: John at September 9, 2007 11:52 AMIMHO, we should be rooting for whichever candidate is most likely to address the issues of inequity that lead to adoption and the lack of enforcement of the laws that govern it allowing, which is what has allowed a few bad practitioners to stink up hte reputation of the whole system. Adoption only addresses the problems children face for a precious few. I know who I think that is, and anyone who knows me and follows the candidates positions can figure out who that is.
Likely, the congressional elections will have more impact on adoption reform in Guatemala than the presidential race.
Kevin
Guatadopt.com
When will the election results be known? Also, will President Berger basically just finish his year without being able to make any changes as in a lame duck situation?
Posted by: Bradley at September 9, 2007 05:03 PMSince my local newspaper has someone based in Mexico, I'm seeing information on the Guatemalan elections on my local newspaper site.
No results in the article. It sounds like it was mostly peaceful election activity.
In case anyone was interested, here's the link:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0909guatemala-elex0909-ON.html
Best to all,
Lu
PAP and only God & Universe know how/when
Is there a site out there that describes Molina and Colom's positions?
Posted by: Nora at September 9, 2007 08:27 PMWow, Kevin-thanks for sharing that about your friend, Steve. That certainly puts a whole new perspective on things for me. I've never been to Africa, but to see this comparison makes a big difference. Thanks again for sharing. I remember the first time I went to Guatemala. I was so taken back by the raw beauty and the sheer magnificence of it all; and then I looked in the streets. And it just didn't/doesn't add up. I pray that the incoming administration makes an effort to put the people first. God bless,
Melanie
Hi All:
I received election results from another list. Hope this is ok to post. If not, feel free to edit as needed.
Does anyone know the status of Montt's race?
Presidential results below.
Lisa G.
PRELIMINARY ELECTION RESULTS
GUATEMALA 2007
Guatemalans participated in general elections yesterday, September 9. Since no presidential candidate acquired over 50% of the vote, on November 4th there will be a run-off between the two top contenders, Alvaro Colom of the National Unity for Hope (UNE) party and Otto Perez Molina of the Patriot Party (PP).
With close to 95% percent of the vote counted, the standings in the presidential race are as follows:
Alvaro Colom, National Unity for Hope (UNE): 28%
Otto Perez Molina, Patriot Party (PP): 24%
Alejandro Giammattei, Great National Alliance (GANA): 17%
Eduardo Suger, Center for Social Action (CASA): 7%
Luis Rabbe, Guatemalan Republican Front (FRG): 7%
Rigoberta Menchu, Encounter for Guatemala (EG): 3%
The rest of the parties received less than 3% of the vote.
More election news in Spanish can be found at:
http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/edicionelectoral07/index.html
We are in the process of working on a NISGUA elections analysis which we will send to you soon.
NISGUA staff in Guatemala
Has anyone seen results of the Antigua mayor's race yet?
Posted by: Antigua Dad at September 11, 2007 12:07 PMAntigua Dad,
Susana Asencio was elected new mayor of Antigua. By the way, it is not true that the Antigua Mayor is groomed to be the next president. Never has been a former Antigua mayor who later was elected president. Susana is very well qualified to be mayor and I am sure that she will do a lot of good to my favorite city in the world.
Susana Luarca
Susana,
Where did you get that info? El Periodico reported today that Susana Asencio lost by some 200 votes (see http://elperiodico.com.gt/es/20070911/actualidad/43601/ ). According to that article the winner was Adolfo Vivar of UNE. I hope you're right. I met Asencio last week and was really impressed.
Antigua Dad,
Yes,your are right. The newspapers reported on Monday that Asencio won. It is a pity that she did not win this time. But she sure will win the next time.
Susana
How does the rest of the congressional election work? Our lawyer was running under one of the presidential candidates, and someone told me that she received a spot in congress. I'm hoping this is true, because she has been facilitating adoptions for years, and our case is moving fairly well. We were down in Guatemala visiting our son on Sunday during the election, and it seems that everything ended very peacefully (we were thankful for that). Any further insight from anyone?
Posted by: Rachel at September 14, 2007 09:23 AMThe elections for mayor in Antigua are being contested. It seems that the current mayor issued a lot of cedulas to people who do not live in Antigua, to get the votes to win the elections. Policemen of the Antigua municipality were caught some days before the elections, distributing flyiers maligning the candidate for Antigua Somos Todos, Susana Asencio. So there is still hope that she could be the next Antigua mayor.
The leftists, who caused the 36 year armed conflict, have lost all their power, as the elections show. Rigoberta Menchu could not get the votes of the indigenous population, who would rather vote for someone else than for her.
Dina Castro was candidate for Congress, with the CASA political party. She did not win a seat, but surely she will win next time.
Susana Luarca
Posted by: Susana Luarca at September 16, 2007 03:29 PMDear Susana,
Do you really mean that it was the leftists who caused the armed conflict in Guatemala?
I am Guatemalan and I learned a very different history. Granted, during the cold war, and our own civil one, that was the official story. Anyone who has bothered to read the historical commissions' reports can tell that it was not the "leftists" who caused the armed conflict. Oppression and repression occurred way before the armed conflict started. U.S. sponsored intervention helped trigger the conditions that led to the armed conflict. It was this wild search for "commies" that resulted in our war.
I feel sad and concerned that someone in your position, who claims to speak for the poor and abandoned children of Guatemala, dares make such a comment. It is very misleading and biased.
I am sure many parents who have cared enough to read about Guatemala history and the recent reports on the war and the deaths of thousands by mostly the hand of the army (that is as leftist as Pinochet was) will see your bias as well.
Posted by: mariale at September 17, 2007 03:03 AM