The president's statement came after a night of political chaos in the Central American nation following one of its most tumultuous elections in recent history.
Arévalo and his party, posing a threat to those keen on holding onto power, have faced a slew of legal challenges, allegations of irregularities and assassination plots, according to international observers. “Now the doors are open to an orderly, transparent and efficient government transition,” Giammattei said.
“We’re basically entering really unexplored legal terrain," said Tiziano Breda, a Central America expert at Italy’s Instituto Affari Internazionali."But Arévalo's victory is very hard to overrule. I’m not sure they want to risk great international concern, a diplomatic crisis, or what it could imply socially, the unrest it could provoke.”
In the first round of voting, the little-known Arévalo emerged from a crowded presidential field as a surprise presidential contender, winning the right to gointo the runoff with Torres, who came to represent the country's elite at a time that Guatemalans are hungry for change amid discontent over endemic corruption.