The corruption in this country is most evident in the government. The wife of the president of this last 4 year term divorced her husband so she could run for president and therefore steal money from the country for another 4 years. No relative of past or present president can run. Fortunately one lawyer had his act together and finally got her out of the running. The last president did little for the country, so who's to think his wife (ex-wife) will do any more in the next 4 years.
The government does not set an example of forward thinking. A president can only be in office for one 4-year term. No wonder their slogans are "Only the family can save the town." "No lies, no promises." and "I did it for you, Guatemala" (says the ex-president's ex-wife regarding the divorce). A president has no incentive to plan for the future if it's guaranteed to end in a mere 4 years.
It's all a matter of money. As an outsider, the election campaigning consisted of painting party logos on walls, hanging leaders' faces from lampposts, and driving vehicles up and down the street playing songs and jingles trying to convince people to vote for that party. An incredible amount of money is spent in just this. It all comes down to this: people will vote for a party they recognize. With a poor, illiterate, uneducated adult population, a vote is not based on watching candidates state their case on TV, reading the pros and cons of each party in the newspaper, or discussing views with people of different backgrounds and opinions. If a family lives in a remote village and the only posters that make their way up there are for one party, they will vote for that one party, if they vote at all. Money is not spent on planning, it is spent on plastering the country with names, faces, and colours. I personally think that's why the owners painted our house light green - because there is a political party light yellow, the same colour as our house used to be.
On the left is a pizza advertisement. On the right is a political party advertisement.
I asked one teacher if he was going to vote. He said no, because he doesn't want to be blamed for the wrong that the elected party will do for the country. Here it's not really about voting for the best party, it's about voting for the least bad. Most people I know wanted the Creo party to win. Unfortunately Patriota won with 36%, next with Lider at 23%. Not high percentages, but not bad considering there were 10 candidates to choose from.
I asked another teacher why she wasn't going to vote and she said her parents never have, so why should she? Tradition and the fear of change are two things that keep this country from moving forward, but also make this country what it is: a country of unique, preserved culture. A place where intrigued foreigners come to visit, travel, and work.
Yesterday, as the voters lined up, I was glad for 2 things. One: I'm not in Guatemala City where there are bound to be riots, regardless of which party gets in. Two: I'm glad it's finally over. But wait. It's not! If the president gets in with 50%, he's in. But if it's less than that, they have a re-election. Apparently now they take the top 2 and vote between those 2 in November. When will it ever end?!
Today, I'm glad for 3 things: One: I don't have a TV. Two: I'm not going to be here in November for the re-election. Three: I'm Canadian and don't have to fear the next four years just because of who may be elected. Something I have noticed, though, is that many of the people I talk to realize that something in the government needs to change. These people are beginning to look ahead and desire change. These people will make a difference. They may not become president, but they will be the ones to make a difference in their communities and teach the upcoming generation to think change, pray for their country, and dream big.
Dream big, like this presidential candidate.
The billboard reads: justice is punishment for the criminals, wellbeing is for those who work.
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