Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced Results of Presidential Election

Retired general and former intelligence director Otto Perez Molina of the Conservative Patriotic Party of Guatemala won the presidential election on 6 November 2011. Otto Perez Molina  succeded Álvaro Colom as Guatemala’s President.

Elections were held on 11 September, 2011 in Guatemala for the offices of President and Vice President. Roxana Baldetti was elected the vice-president.

Guatemala in a Glance

Guatemala  is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Guatemala is a representative democracy and its capital is Guatemala de la Asunción, also known as Guatemala City.

The country became independent from Spain in 1821, joining the Mexican Empire. After it became an independent country in its own right, it was ruled by a series of dictators, assisted by the United Fruit Company. The late 20th century saw Guatemala embroiled in a 36-year-long civil war. Following the war, Guatemala witnessed successive democratic elections.

Guatemala is a constitutional democratic republic whereby the President of Guatemala is both head of state and head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Congress of the Republic. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature.

It has one of lowest tax rates in the world, raising little money for schools, roads or other improvements that would help bring the country out of severe poverty. More than half of Guatemala's 14 million people live below the poverty line.