las elecciones.

Every Guatemalan headed to the polls this past Sunday. Since my arrival, it has been clear that this day was to come. Posters, billboards, banners, and even mini-processions made it evident that each party wanted your vote. Similar to the states, a president is elected every four years. He or she then takes office in January, after the final vote in November. The vote that recently happened was to determine the top two candidates. This is necessary, because there are more than a dozen political parties! La Prensa Libre, the local newspaper, has been tracking at least eight of the presidential candidates on the daily. This even includes Rigoberta Menchu (definitely check her out if you don't know her).

The two candidates to surface were Otto Perez Molina and Manuel Baldizon. Neither received the 50% necessary to make the cut after this round. The two will go head to head in November. Molina is part of the Patriota party and intends to counter the nation's violence with his military expertise. As a former general, he takes the "Mano Dura" or "Firm Hand" approach. Baldizon, on the other hand (catch the pun? haha), is an attorney and businessman with the Lider party. He prefers to address poverty, education, and other prevalent issues. Only time will tell which approach Guatemalans want. Stay tuned for updates..