Naomi Roht-Arriaza, University of California College of the Law, San Francisco
Conservative Alejandro Giammattei beat former first lady Sandra Torres with 60% of the vote. But turnout was the lowest in Guatemala’s modern history, in apparent protest of both candidates.
Maya candidate Thelma Cabrera’s unprecedented campaign for president was unsuccessful, but hope has not been dashed. Her run suggests that Guatemala’s grassroots opposition is slowly gaining ground.