Sunday's vote

In the face of a fall of torrential rains, Guatemalans go to the polls this Sunday, November 4, for a presidential election runoff. The election pits retired Army General Otto Perez Molina (of the right-wing Patriot Party), who garnered some one-third of the vote in the September 11 first-round election), against populist millionaire businessman Manuel Baldizon (of the centrist Renewed Democratic Liberty Party), who garnered some one-quarter of the vote. There was no presidential candidate from the party of outgoing President Colom in the election. Opined PC(USA) mission co-worker Karla Koll about the two candidates: "Both are making lots of promises that can’t be fulfilled. Both are reported to have tied to drug cartels. The lack of political alternatives at the national level is a good reminder that change here will not come through the formal political process, but through people organizing at the community level to hold their leaders accountable. Please pray that the elections will take place without violence and intimidation."

- Perry