Posted on 08/01/2007 3:34:14 PM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Guatemala, While there are still 40 days to the Guatemalan general elections, the electoral campaign is considered one of the most violent since institutionality was re-established in 1985.
According to "Mirador Electoral" civil organization, 39 people have died so far, surpassing the number of fatal victims in the 2003 elections, when 23 political figures were killed.
The latest case was reported Monday in Palencia municipality, where a son of Daniel Mijangos, who is running for the post of mayor for the PP (Patriotic Party), was shot dead.
UNE (The National Unity of Hope) has been the most affected group so far, with 15 deaths, followed by the PP and Grand National Alliance, each one with four, and the URNG (the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Union), with three.
UNE presidential candidate Alvaro Colom told Prensa Latina that mafias linked to drug trafficking, smuggling, and money laundering are responsible for at least 14 of the murders reported against his party.
"We are risking our lives here," Colom said, and added aggressions are to draw out the remaining days to the elections..
Electoralcution?
Latin America pinglist ping.
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