Alejandro Giammattei, a center-right businessman and former prisons director making his fourth bid for the presidency, was elected as Guatemala's president on Sunday in a runoff election where corruption and a migration crisis were the two top issues.
With 97% of votes counted, Mr. Giammattei got 58.5% support while Ms. Torres, who is being investigated for alleged corruption, had 41.5%. Ms. Torres has denied wrongdoing and said the accusations against her are a "Political attack."
The president-elect's first task will be to review the immigration agreement signed in late July by outgoing President Jimmy Morales with the administration of President Trump, and decide whether to support it or renegotiate it, members of Mr. Giammattei's campaign say.
His flagship project is a $8 billion high-speed train connecting the country that Mr. Giammattei says could generate one million jobs.
Mr. Giammattei, a former doctor, ran unsuccessfully three times for president in 2007, 2011 and 2015 with different parties.
Mr. Giammattei has wide support among the business class, social conservatives and many in the military who wanted to vote for Ms. Ríos, local lawmakers say.
Mr. Giammattei, who suffered from multiple sclerosis as a youth and uses crutches to walk, worked as a doctor in the early 1980s during the country's 36-year civil war, which left 200,000 dead. He then entered public service, heading Guatemala City's transport department and the local fire department.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/guatemala-elects-alejandro-giammattei-as-president-11565581026
With 97% of votes counted, Mr. Giammattei got 58.5% support while Ms. Torres, who is being investigated for alleged corruption, had 41.5%. Ms. Torres has denied wrongdoing and said the accusations against her are a "Political attack."
The president-elect's first task will be to review the immigration agreement signed in late July by outgoing President Jimmy Morales with the administration of President Trump, and decide whether to support it or renegotiate it, members of Mr. Giammattei's campaign say.
His flagship project is a $8 billion high-speed train connecting the country that Mr. Giammattei says could generate one million jobs.
Mr. Giammattei, a former doctor, ran unsuccessfully three times for president in 2007, 2011 and 2015 with different parties.
Mr. Giammattei has wide support among the business class, social conservatives and many in the military who wanted to vote for Ms. Ríos, local lawmakers say.
Mr. Giammattei, who suffered from multiple sclerosis as a youth and uses crutches to walk, worked as a doctor in the early 1980s during the country's 36-year civil war, which left 200,000 dead. He then entered public service, heading Guatemala City's transport department and the local fire department.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/guatemala-elects-alejandro-giammattei-as-president-11565581026
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