Guatemala’s presidential election is facing uncertainty after the country’s top court suspended the release of official results, pending a review of votes.
The Constitutional Court granted a temporary injunction to 10 parties that challenged the results of the June 25 election, which showed a surprise second-place finish for Bernardo Arevalo, a progressive candidate who campaigned on anti-corruption and social justice issues.
Arevalo appealed to the court on Sunday, asking it to clear the path toward an August runoff election against Sandra Torres, a former first lady and conservative leader who won the first round with 25.27 percent of the vote.
“We are confident that the court will act with responsibility and respect for the popular will expressed at the polls,” Arevalo said in a statement.
The court’s decision came after allegations of irregularities and fraud in the vote counting process, which was marred by delays and technical glitches. The electoral tribunal said it had received more than 3,000 complaints from parties and candidates.
Some observers have expressed concern that the court’s intervention could undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the election, which was already marked by voter discontent and apathy. More than half of the eligible voters did not cast a ballot, and many of those who did said they were dissatisfied with the choices.
“This is a very delicate situation that could generate more uncertainty and distrust in the electoral system,” said Adriana Beltran, director for citizen security at the Washington Office on Latin America, a think tank.
Guatemala is one of the poorest and most violent countries in Latin America, plagued by corruption, crime and migration. The next president will face the challenge of addressing these issues amid pressure from the United States, which has threatened to cut aid and impose tariffs if Guatemala does not stem the flow of migrants heading north.
The Organization of American States (OAS), which sent an observer mission to monitor the election, said it would resend its team to Guatemala after the court ordered a review of the ballots. The OAS urged all parties to respect the legal process and wait for the final results.
