Mary Speck on Guatemala’s Watershed Elections

Mary Speck on Guatemala’s Watershed Elections

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

By: Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Ahead of the country’s second-round presidential elections later this month, USIP’s Mary Speck explains how judicial interference has injected chaos into the country’s democratic process. There are concerns that Guatemala’s democratic backsliding could reverberate throughout Central America. “What happens in Guatemala can affect the whole region.”

Type: Podcast

Global Policy

¿Elegirán los votantes o los tribunales al próximo presidente de Guatemala?

¿Elegirán los votantes o los tribunales al próximo presidente de Guatemala?

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

By: Alexander Aizenstatd;  Gabriela Carrera;  Juan Cruz;  Stephen McFarland;  Carlos Mendoza;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Los guatemaltecos acuden a las urnas el 20 de agosto para votar en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales. Ambos candidatos provienen de la centroizquierda del país: Sandra Torres, activista veterana, que ya se ha presentado dos veces a las elecciones presidenciales, y Bernardo Arévalo, quien lidera un partido relativamente nuevo y cuya sorprendente victoria lo ha llevado por primera vez a la segunda vuelta.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Will Voters or the Courts Choose Guatemala's Next President?

Will Voters or the Courts Choose Guatemala's Next President?

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

By: Alexander Aizenstatd;  Gabriela Carrera;  Juan Cruz;  Stephen McFarland;  Carlos Mendoza;  Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Guatemalans head to the polls on August 20 to vote in a presidential run-off election. Both candidates come from the country’s center-left: Sandra Torres is a veteran campaigner, who has run for president twice before. Bernardo Arévalo leads a relatively new party whose surprisingly strong showing in the first-round vote propelled him into the runoff for the first time.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

¿Qué está en juego luego de la pausa electoral en Guatemala?

¿Qué está en juego luego de la pausa electoral en Guatemala?

Thursday, July 6, 2023

By: Mary Speck, Ph.D.

El 25 de junio, los votantes guatemaltecos desafiaron las predicciones y enviaron a un líder anticorrupción a la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales. Bernardo Arévalo, catedrático de derecho y exdiplomático, quedó en segundo lugar en un campo muy competido, ganándose un puesto en la ronda final del 20 de agosto contra la eterna candidata presidencial y ex primera dama, Sandra Torres.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

What’s at Stake in Guatemala’s Election Pause?

What’s at Stake in Guatemala’s Election Pause?

Thursday, July 6, 2023

By: Mary Speck, Ph.D.

Guatemalan voters defied predictions on June 25 by sending an anti-corruption crusader to runoff elections for the country’s presidency. Bernardo Arévalo, a professorial lawmaker and former diplomat, placed second in a crowded field, earning a place in the final round on August 20 against perennial presidential candidate and former First Lady, Sandra Torres.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance

Curbing Corruption after Conflict: Anticorruption Mobilization in Guatemala (Spanish)

Curbing Corruption after Conflict: Anticorruption Mobilization in Guatemala (Spanish)

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

By: Walter Flores;  Miranda Rivers

Este informe analiza la lucha contra la corrupción en Guatemala llevada a cabo por movimientos sociales en los últimos cinco años, y se hace foco en sus principales éxitos y desafíos al trabajar para avanzar la transparencia, la responsabilidad y la buena gobernanza. Las lecciones aprendidas de los esfuerzos de los movimientos sociales para lograr un cambio positivo en Guatemala pueden aplicarse a otros movimientos del mundo que se encuentran en contextos similares. Las lecciones también tienen mayor relevancia para los actores internacionales que ayudan a los estados a reconstruir la paz y la gobernanza democrática luego de un conflicto violento prolongado.

Type: Special Report

Nonviolent Action

What Guatemala’s Anti-Corruption Movement Can Learn from the Past

What Guatemala’s Anti-Corruption Movement Can Learn from the Past

Thursday, January 21, 2021

By: Miranda Rivers;  Carlos Mendoza

Guatemalans have once again risen up by the thousands to demand major changes in how their country is governed. Their demands are intended to usher in reforms that will improve quality of life for citizens reeling from the impacts of two deadly hurricanes, as well as health and economic crises that have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The demonstrations are reminiscent of the 2015 protests that prompted the resignations of top officials, including the country’s president. However, that movement fell short of broader, structural change. This time around, protesters can draw on lessons learned from the past to achieve long-term reform and target Guatemala’s persistent systems of corruption.

Type: Analysis

Nonviolent ActionDemocracy & Governance

Curbing Corruption after Conflict: Anticorruption Mobilization in Guatemala

Curbing Corruption after Conflict: Anticorruption Mobilization in Guatemala

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

By: Walter Flores;  Miranda Rivers

This report analyzes the fight against corruption in Guatemala by social movements over the past five years, homing in on their major successes and challenges in working to advance transparency, accountability, and good governance. The lessons drawn from these efforts can be applicable for other movements around the world operating in similar contexts. The work also has a larger bearing for international actors helping states build peace and democratic governance following prolonged violent conflict.

Type: Special Report

Nonviolent Action