Guatemala: Protests Spark Over Election Interference as State Targets Opposition Candidate Bernardo Arevalo

The government of Guatemala has been targeting opposition candidate Bernardo Arevalo ahead of the runoff election on August 20. This includes a raid on his party's offices.

Following the raid on the offices of Arevalo's Semila party, however, hundreds have gathered in the capital, Guatemala City, in protest, speaking out against interference by courts and prosecutors against a progressive candidate.

Before the first round of the election, Arevalo was just another face in the crowded field of over 20 candidates. He was not even a favorite to reach the runoff. However, in one of the biggest election upsets in the country's history, Arevalo took the #2 spot and qualified for the runoff election against establishment candidate and former First Lady Sandra Torres.

Arevalo is regarded as an anti-corruption candidate and has railed against the current administration, which has been seen as moving more towards authoritarianism. With Guatemalans losing more trust in the government, many voted for Arevalo as an alternative to the usual politicians they are presented with.

According to the Associated Press, Guatemalan law dictates that political parties cannot be suspended during an election. However, the current government has launched investigations and other ways to complicate things for Arevalo and his party.

In response to this possible interference, several civic groups have marched against the government and demanded to end the harassment. Many of the protesters accused President Alejandro Giammattei of being the one orchestrating the interference and harassment as Arevalo would possibly investigate the corruption allegations against him.

The Guatemala Police Raid Bernardo Arevalo's Party Office

The raid on the Semila party's offices happened last Friday in Guatemala City. Authorities say that they are looking into the alleged wrongdoing in the party's formation, so they raided its offices.

Members of the party, as well as the Guatemala Attorney General's Office, confirmed the raid and stated that the police were looking for documents to back claims that the party falsified its member number in order to be recognized as a legitimate political party.

Following the raid, Arevalo released a statement denouncing the search, saying that it was illegal and said it "is part of the political persecution that the corrupt minority that knows it is losing power day by day is carrying out to try to intimidate us, to try to derail the electoral process ... to try to topple democracy."

Guatemala Bishops Demand Elections Happen as Scheduled

The US, EU, other Latin American countries, and independent NGOs have raised concerns regarding the election interference happening in Guatemala. It seems that the Roman Catholic Church has joined in on that as well.

According to the National Catholic Reporter, Guatemala's bishops have demanded that the runoff elections happen as originally scheduled. The country's Guatemalan Bishops' Conference said in a statement that the results of the June 25 election must be respected and that the runoffs on August 20 between Arevalo and Torres to not be delayed.

"We support the confidence that Guatemala continues to have in the possibility of purifying and strengthening the democratic system and we invite everyone to remain firm in prayer and common solidarity," the bishops' statement read.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Chaos continues in Guatemala elections - Associated Press