The Guatemalan election cycle is sort of akin to the US style in the sense that there are always two rounds of elections, but that of Guatemala is structurally more diverse. Whereas in the States we have two recognized parties, the Democratic and Republican parties, in Guatemala there are as many parties as can gain recognition, registration and enough votes in time for the General Elections. However, there are generally three or four parties that hold all the power, and the rest tend to be pretty marginalized in power.
The General Elections determine all positions except for the president/vice-president: As there is always a very large number of political parties (this election cycle there were 14 in the original running), it is nearly statistically impossible for any one presidential candidate to receive 50% + 1 vote. Theoretically, it is possible, but in reality, pues, it ain't ever gonna happen, folks. So, there is nearly always La Segunda Vuelta (The Second Round) of votation, in which the two parties with the most votes for president/vice president continue campaigning for another approximate two months. (General Elections this year: Sept 9th, Second Round: Nov 4th).
At any rate, the two remaining parties were Partido Patriota (Patriotic Party) and La UNE (Union Nacional para la Esperanza - National Unity for Hope), with their presidential candidates Otto Pérez Molina and Álvaro Colom, respectively. Frankly stated, both sucked. And still suck.
Otto Pérez Molina is a retired general who helped kill lots of people during the horrendous 30+ year armed conflict during its roughest years in the 1980s. But, he also helped get the Peace Accords signed in the 1990s. The slogan of PP, and the image everywhere was LA MANO DURA, with the (unfortunately) corrupted image of the solidarity fist.....meaning....Hard/Strong/Unforgiving Hand....ie let's rule this country with an iron fist and use violence to solve the neverending problems of violence and corruption in this country.
Álvaro Colom doesn't exactly have the most transparent financial campaign records. It's widely believed to be fact that Colom's largest financial backing is through narcotraffickers, who in recent years have begun to develop an extremely large and rapidly growing interest in Guatemala as a crossroads for getting drugs overland to the States through Mexico. This is the third time that Colom has run for President, and has received unbelievable amounts of money backing him in each of the campaigns, which leads to the inevitable question of what debts does he now owe. His party slogan is "Tu Esperanza es mi Compromiso" (Your Hope is My Promise), but also, after a while (and after the shellshock of Mano Dura everywhere in your face) a sub-tagline at times of "La violencia se combate con inteligencia" (Violence is combatted with intelligence).
Every single Guatemalan I chatted with about the elections in between the two dates expressed some sort of variant of the following opinion: I am not in favor of either candidate that remains, they both have their downfalls and seem pretty bad for the country. But, I will vote because I should and I will vote for XXXX (and then their explanation and choice). Bad news bears.
But, Colom won. So here we are. And where am I? Well, my Spanish teacher is ready to fill me in on the onslaught of jokes that are bound to form around Colom. First and foremost, well, he just looks, to me, sort of dopey. But that is beyond the point. The real point is, apparently people think Colom is a bit akin to both Kermit the Frog (La Rana René in Spanish) and Milhouse from the Simpson's. I am not sure if I agree, but I will post for your judgment at any rate.
(I, personally, maybe see some Milhouse).
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