Guatemalan Presidential Candidate Shifts Rightward in Bid for Presidency
Guatemalan presidential candidate Sandra Torres has taken a surprising rightward turn on the political spectrum in her bid for the country’s highest office. In her campaign, Torres has chosen an evangelical pastor as her running mate and is placing strong emphasis on her commitment to preserving the ban on abortion and same-sex marriage in Guatemala.
While her opponent, Bernardo Arévalo, has also expressed support for maintaining the abortion ban, he has yet to make a formal declaration on same-sex marriage. Arévalo, a progressive candidate, unexpectedly gained significant support in the first round of the election and is now fiercely competing with Torres in the upcoming runoff.
Torres, who leads the National Unity of Hope party, has dragged her party to the right alongside her. However, she still promises social programs aimed at alleviating poverty in the country. Her campaign highlights the need to address issues such as lack of maintenance, increased poverty and crime, and the burden of paying protection money to gangs.
In her appeal to conservative social values, Torres has garnered support from some Guatemalan evangelical pastors who fear losing their close relationship with the government if Arévalo wins the presidency. These pastors see Torres as a candidate who will protect their interests and uphold their religious principles.
Critics of Torres are skeptical of her promises and point to the tendency of politicians to forget about their constituents once in office. They question whether Torres will be able to deliver on her pledges, particularly considering the challenges Guatemala faces in terms of poverty and crime.
Regardless of the skepticism, Torres’ campaign is seen as populist, as she highlights her prior government experience in social programs. She has promised to distribute computers, scholarships, and food to impoverished communities, which has resonated with supporters who have felt neglected by previous administrations.
As the runoff election approaches, both Torres and Arévalo are engaged in heated campaigning. While Arévalo has largely focused on combating corruption, Torres has tapped into conservative values and social programs in an attempt to secure the presidency. The outcome of the election will determine the future direction of Guatemala and its social policies.
