Guatemala’s upcoming elections

Guatemala was the smallest country on President Bush’s recent Latin America tour. It was worth the stop, however. For good reasons: the Central American country has gained international weight and recognition after benefiting from widespread Latin American mistrust against Venezuelan representation in the United Nation Security Council. More importantly, Guatemala will go to the polls to elect a new executive and legislative branch in September. The core topic, however, is likely to be domestic security, as crime has been on the rise for years. It will be difficult for a female candidate with little experience in security issues to gain the confidence of a majority.

NEWS:

• Presidents Bush and Lula meet in US to talk trade and biofuels.
• Four bombs explode in Chile. Great unrest and violent protests against President Bachelet.
• Nobel Menchú trails in Guatemala Election Poll.
• Chavez could nationalize Hospitals. PDVSA sells record $7.5 billion in bonds despite cash flow problems.
• Bolivia to nationalize Top Phone Company.
• Colombia: drug traffickers supplying FARC. Six FARC members captured.
• Peru’s Garcia visits Colombia; calls for Alliance. Peru’s trade minister hopes to get past FTA obstacles this month.
• Ecuadorian Congress suspended.
• Argentina vows to regain Falkland sovereignty. 28 killed, 40,000 displaced in flooding in Argentina.
• Castro lashes out at US in first post-surgery editorial.
• Brazilians back Lula’s friendly ties with Bush.

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