Anti-corruption leader wins Guatemala polls

GUATEMALA CITY, Aug 21 (BBC): An anti-corruption candidate has swept to a shock win in Guatemala's presidential election. Bernardo Arevalo's victory is seen as a repudiation of the political elite in the Central American nation, long the target of corruption allegations.
The 64-year old former diplomat led his rival, former first lady Sandra Torres, 58% to 37% with 99% of votes counted. "The people of Guatemala have spoken forcefully," Mr Arevalo told reporters. "Enough with so much corruption."
Guatemala ranks 150th out of 180 in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index in 2022, tied with Afghanistan and the Central African Republic. Mr Arevalo's supporters celebrated his victory on the streets of the capital Guatemala City on Sunday night, waving flags and lighting fireworks.
"This triumph represents the defeat of a corrupt system," said one of his supporters, sociologist Jorge Mendoza. The son of former president Juan José Arévalo, his campaign pulled off a massive upset, defying opinion polls, legal challenges and attempts to disqualify his Movimiento Semilla, or Seed Movement, party.
In the first round of voting last 25 June, Mr Arevalo placed a surprise second to Ms Torres, who has the support of the political elite.
Mr Arevalo will replace unpopular right-wing President Alejandro Giammattei, who is constitutionally barred from re-election.