GUATEMALAN ELECTIONS: TALKING POINTS FOR ADDI HPSCI BRIEFING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00874R000100030008-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 26, 2011
• Sequence Number: 8
• Publication Date: November 5, 1985
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/26: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100030008-1
!HE
5 November 1985
The Guatemalan national elections on Sunday were largely trouble free and
already have been praised by international observers as orderly and
honest.
--Early projections suggest the turnout will at least match the
turnout for the July 1984 Constituent Assembly elections.
--US Embassy reporting indicates no major election irregularities.
--No candidates have yet leveled charges of interference by party
officials or security forces, who succeeded in maintai,ttng a low
profile.
voters away by intimidation.
--Asiae rrom aistriDuting propaganaa, no insurgent activity was
reported. We have no reporting that rebels were able to keep
Early returns--about 30-percent of the vote--give center-left Christian
Party candidate Vinicio REZO Arevalo about 40-percent and
Jorge CARPIO lle of the National Cen rist Union about 20-percent.
Certified fins exults are not expected until the end of the week.
CEREZO a
military
--Jorge SERRANO Elias of the Democratic Party of National
Cooperation, a moderate conservative, and Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon of
the rightist National Liberation Movement--each with less than
15-percent--are vying for third place.
--If these trends continue a run-off between CEREZO and CARPIO will
be held on 8 December.
--A run-off will be dominated by behind the scenes politicking as
both scramble to woo support from losers.
--The perception of an honest first round will significantly
strenghten chances for a smooth run-off.
,,,, ,, Declassified in Part -Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/26: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100030008-1
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/26: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100030008-1
Guatemala: Election at a Glance
The Political Spectrum:
Left
Center Left
Center Center Ri
ht
Ri
h
g
g
t
Extreme Right
Social Democratic
P
Christian
National National Renewal
National
National Liberation
arty (PSD)
Democratic Party
Centrist Union Party (PNR)
Authentic
Movement (MLN)
(DCG)
(UCN)
Center (CAN)
Civic Democratic
F
Democratic Peoples Democrati
c
Institutional
Anti-Communist
ront (FCD-5)
Party of Force (FDP)
Democratic
Democratic Front
National
Party (PID)
(PUA)
Cooperation
(PDCN)
Revolutionary Emerging Movemen
t
National Unity
Party (PR) for Harmony (MEC)
Front (FUN)
The Major Presidential Candidates Key Dates
Viniclo CEREZO Arevalo, DCG 3 Nov 85 National elections
Jorge CARPIO Nicoile, UCN
Jorge SERRANO Elias, PDCN
Mario SANDOVAL Alarcon, MLN
8 Dec 85 Presidential runoff
14 Jan 86 Presidential Inauguration;
Constituent Assembly
dissolved and new Congress
sworn In; new constitution
enters Into force.
Vital Statistics
Eligible voters-3.9 million (estimate)
Registered voters-2.8 million (estimate)
Registered parties-14
Congressional seats-100
Governorships-not applicable
Mayoral/local races-329
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/01/26: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000100030008-1