Guatemala presidential election takes unexpected turn with centrist in second

Bernardo Arévalo has earned a place in a run-off against Sandra Torres, a veteran politician who has faced corruption accusations

Guatemala’s presidential election has thrown up a major surprise with centrist Bernardo Arévalo claiming a spot in the second round amid growing anger over political corruption and the erosion of democracy in Central America’s most populous nation.

Alongside El Salvador and Nicaragua, Guatemala is one of several Central American countries which has taken an alarming authoritarian turn in recent years, with activists denouncing growing attacks on the media and more than two dozen judges and prosecutors forced into exile.