In Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo, representing the Semilla movement, is leading in the second-round presidential vote, with official updates from the Supreme Electoral Court reported by DEA News. Arevalo, the son of former president Juan José Arevalo, captured a substantial share of the vote, and preliminary figures show him ahead with a comfortable margin. He holds around the mid-60 percentile range in early tallies, while Sandra Torres, leading the National Union of Hope party, remains in strong contention with a sizable share in the high 30s. The distance between the frontrunners is widening as results continue to arrive.
Early data indicate that turnout in the runoff reached about 38.2 percent of Guatemala’s roughly 9.36 million registered voters, according to official statements. Elections authorities described the process as orderly, with no major incidents reported during polling or counting phases.
Beyond Guatemala, there has been mention of political dynamics in neighboring regions. Reports noted developments in Ecuador, where a female leftist candidate was leading after counting a small portion of votes, though the overall trajectory remained uncertain until more ballots were tallied.
Under Guatemalan electoral guidelines, a candidate may win outright in the first round by securing more than one-half of the votes, or more than 40 percent with a margin of at least 10 percentage points over the next candidate. If neither condition is met, a runoff is scheduled, commonly resulting in a decisive matchup on a later date. The current runoff is expected to finalize the presidency in the near term as vote counting progresses and final tallies are certified by electoral authorities.
On the political stage, past and present officials have commented on constitutional processes and the implications for governance and electoral integrity. Analysts note that the unfolding results will shape policy debates and party strategies as the country moves toward formal certification of the election outcome.
As the tallying continues, observers emphasize the importance of continued transparency and public trust in the electoral system, with voters awaiting final confirmation of the winner and the implications for Guatemala’s political direction.