Former TV comedian captures Guatemalan presidency by a landslide

A 46-year-old former television comedian who has never held an elected post was swept into office as Guatemala’s new president on Sunday.

Jimmy Morales, who campaigned as a political outsider, took 67% percent of the vote in the runoff race, which was held less than two months after the previous president was ousted and arrested following a widespread corruption scandal.

Morales’ opponent, former first lady Sandra Torres, received only 33% of the vote.

Former first lady Sandra Torres received only 31% of the vote

More than a victory for the comedian, Morales’ triumph represents the failure of old politics, which have been badly damaged by allegations surrounding a customs fraud ring purportedly led by former President Otto Pérez Molina, who stepped down in early September when an arrest warrant was issued.

Pérez Molina has denied the charges.

A conservative and devout religious man, Morales has promised to restore Guatemala’s international credibility. “Now, I am part of the political system but I still maintain my disagreements,” he said on Sunday night.

Morales, who took advantage of the people’s rage against their past leader, had called on Guatemalans to cast “a punishment vote” against the political establishment.

But the incoming president may have trouble finding a consensus to hold together his new government. His National Convergence Front (FCN) party is a fragile force, only capturing seven percent of seats in the next Congress.

Morales also inherits a country that is struggling to reconcile its present with a violent past filled with scores of human rights violations – including genocide against the Mayan Indians – that took place during a 36-year civil war.

Guatemala has had nine presidents since the country returned to democracy in 1996 after a truce was reached. But the nation is plagued by high crime and poverty.

This past summer, Guatemalans were dealt a severe blow when Vice President Roxana Baldetti was arrested in connection with a multi-million dollar customs graft and fraud scheme, known as La Línea (The line).

The investigation also led to the arrest of Pérez Molina, who was stripped of his presidential immunity before resigning from office in disgrace.

Pérez Molina, who is a former general, Baldetti, and dozens of other suspects are in custody awaiting trial.

Guatemala is undergoing a peaceful change, without firing any bullets”

Torres, who is divorced from Pérez Molina’s predecessor, President Álvaro Colom, had also campaigned on a platform of cleaning up the country. But it was Morales’ position as a political outsider that won over voters.

Still, he will face a tough time convincing important sectors that he is capable of governing

“Guatemala is undergoing a peaceful change, without firing any bullets,” he said. “The entire world is watching and we must show them that we are a country of honest people. There will be zero tolerance for corruption,” Morales said.

English version by Martin Delfín.