Guatemala's election results are in turmoil as the nation's Attorney General's Office has suspended the leftist party.
The decision came after concerns following Guatemala's first round of voting that sent two finalists to a runoff election.
Guatemala’s troubled presidential election is in even greater turmoil after the top electoral tribunal confirmed the results of the June 25 vote and the Attorney General’s Office announced the 2nd place party had been suspended. https://t.co/sRK6V0yKyF
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 13, 2023
"Rafael Curruchiche, the special prosecutor against impunity, said in a video statement that in May 2022 a citizen reported having his signature falsely added to the signature gathering effort of Arévalo’s Seed Movement party and that the Attorney General Office’s investigation also found 12 deceased people were included on its list of signatures," the Associated Press reported.
"The special prosecutor said there were indications that more than 5,000 signatures were illegally gathered for the party," it added.
Leader in Guatemala presidential election suspends campaign https://t.co/whoNwkkalP
— O.C. Register (@ocregister) July 13, 2023
"The top vote-getter in the first round of Guatemala’s presidential election said Thursday she is suspending her campaign activities in solidarity with her opponent, whose party is being pursued by prosecutors," the O.C. Register reported.
"Sandra Torres said in a news conference that the current playing field between herself and Seed Party candidate Bernardo Arévalo is uneven," it added.
Guatemala prosecutor suspends party of anti-corruption election candidate https://t.co/cZXz4YGGVG
— Mike Kenealy (@MikeKenealy) July 13, 2023
"Hours later, on Thursday morning, officials from the attorney general’s office raided the offices of the supreme electoral court, causing further alarm over the future of the election," the Guardian noted.
"The decision and Thursday’s raid caused outrage in Guatemala and overseas. Dozens of Arévalo supporters gathered outside the electoral court in Guatemala City to protest against what they called an attempted coup d’état," it continued.
With both of the contenders in the runoff now stopping their campaigns, the nation has an unclear path over the future, with no clear decision over when the next election will be or who will be involved.
The news also comes as the U.S. moves forward with campaigns for the 2024 presidential election after numerous claims of voting fraud by former President Donald Trump.
He's now making his own comeback bid at the White House as he faces a potential rematch against President Joe Biden sure to be controversial in America.
