GUATEMALA'S CHOICE: WHAT'S AT STAKE AHEAD OF THE RUNOFF ELECTION? - On August 20, Guatemalans will return to the ballot box to decide who will lead northern Central America’s largest economy for the next four years. Following a surprising and often polarizing first round, whoever holds the presidential sash in January will inherit challenging global economic times and domestic social disenchantment. Guatemala’s next leader – Sandra Torres or Bernardo Arevalo —will need to reassert the country’s role as a key player in regional geopolitics.

What are the top priorities for the next Guatemalan administration, and how will it double down on the country’s recent economic slowdown? How can the Guatemalan private sector and civil society help defuse post-election tensions and collaborate with government on economic prosperity? In what ways can the next Guatemalan president bring back trust in the country’s political system?

Ahead of the runoff election, the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center hosted an in-person discussion on the road ahead for Guatemala’s next president and for US-Guatemala relations.

ORIGINAL AIRDATE: 07/13/23