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Right-winger elected in Guatemala

RIGHT-WING candidate Alejandro Giammattei was elected as President of Guatemala today after promising to scrap the country’s migrant deal with the US.

The former prison chief won 59 per cent of the vote, finishing ahead of the centre-left candidate Sandra Torres who scored 41 per cent according to preliminary results.

Mr Giammattei said it would be “an immense honour to be president of this country that I love so much,” and vowed to “rebuild Guatemala.”

He will take up the presidency in January 2020, replacing outgoing President Jimmy Morales.

It was his fourth attempt as a presidential candidate, having represented a different party each time he has stood for election.

Voter turnout was low with disillusionment over Mr Morales’s tenure which has been plagued by corruption allegations.

Mr Giammattei wants to overturn a deal struck with Washington which means migrants passing through Guatemala would have to apply for asylum there, rather than in the US.

“It’s not right for the country,” Mr Giammattei said. “If we don’t have the capacity to look after our own people, imagine what it will be like for foreigners.”

But the deal will already be in place by the time he assumes the presidency.

Mr Giammattei hopes there is scope for review during the “transitional process.”

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