Election Day

Tomorrow Guatemala chooses its next president. The two candidates have very different visions for the country. I know everyone wants to know about where they stand on adoption but the truth is we don't know and this election is about things more important than adoption. As members of the Guatemalan community, we are all Guatemaltecos and need to be able to look at the larger picture.

Update Sunday 11:00 est - The Tribunal Supremo Electoral (the main election authority) has declared Alvaro Colom the next president of Guatemala with 52.7% of the vote and over 96% of votes counted.

As things stand, the latest poll indicates a narrow victory for Alvaro Colom of the UNE party (http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/guatemala_2007_colom_53_prez_molina_47/). Colom is depicted being left-of-center with a campaign focused on addressing the poverty that plagues the country. His vision for addressing the very real problems of crime and violence focuses on removing the socio-economic conditions that lead to these problems. Alvaro Colom is a successful businessman, mostly textiles, who has been in public service as well. Interestingly enough, he is also an ordained Mayan priest.

Otto Perez Molina is a retired general. He is a graduate of the School of the Americas, which you can learn about here: http://www.soaw.org/. During the civil war, he led troops in areas where a scorched earth policy was utilized. However, he was a part of the coup that removed Rios Montt from power and did represent the military in the peace accords that ended the war. Recently, stories have emerged tying him to the famous murder of Bishop Juan Gerardi in 1998. Molina’s campaign is based on the idea of a “firm hand, head and heart”. He was wants to use the military to fight the horrendous crime problem and has stated he will suspend some civil liberties in doing so.

Anyone who knows me can figure out who I hope wins this election but really my opinion is worthless. Guatemalans will decide this extremely important election.

As someone who loves Guatemala and its people dearly I hope that regardless of who ends up president that the democratic transition of power occurs peacefully. I hope for a free and fair election, free of intimidation, violence, or scandal. I hope that the results are clear and that it doesn’t come out too close because unlike what happened here with Bush vs. Gore, it could lead to violence if the result is contested.

So let’s all remember what matters most and say a prayer for the future of Guatemala.