No-one expected Bernado Arévalo to emerge as the winner of Guatemala’s presidential race – not even his own party. Facing down the country’s all-powerful oligarchy, the 64-year-old anti-corruption crusader surprised the nation on 20 August by defeating his establishment rival, former First Lady Sandra Torres. The underdog’s victory brings a modicum of hope to a Central American country engulfed by corruption and poverty.
Arévalo ran on promises to improve healthcare and education for poor and Indigenous communities, as well as to expand economic opportunities by working with the US to open more temporary work programmes there. This is being touted as a way to prevent irregular migration over the dangerous US border.
