Guatemala votes for new president amid tensions over violence

Guatemala, a Central American Country, on Sunday began voting for a new president, who will face the challenge of curbing drug gang violence that has convulsed the country and helped spur illegal immigration to the United States, fuelling tensions with President Donald Trump.

Nineteen candidates are competing in the election, which is expected to yield no outright winner, forcing the top two contenders to face off in a second round on 11th August.

Former first lady Sandra Torres, of the



center-left UNE party, has led the race to succeed President Jimmy Morales.

Torres is expected to win the first round, with polls suggesting she could pick up more than 22% of the vote. Center-right candidate Alejandro Giammattei is expected to trail behind with only 11%.

Rampant violence and widespread discontent over corruption and impunity in the country of 17 million have prompted more and more Guatemalans to flee for the United States.