Guatemala elects former TV comedian as president in ‘brave vote against corruption’

GUATEMALA has elected a former television comedian who performed in blackface and has never held office as its next president in a protest vote against political corruption.

Jimmy Morales, 46, who once played the role of a hapless cowboy who becomes president on TV, claimed victory in a landslide with 67 per cent of the popular vote on Sunday.

Mr Morales, a conservative, praised his countrymen for a “brave vote, a vote full of hope, a vote which wants to put an end to corruption. “I don’t have super powers nor magic but my heart swells with love for this nation and together we’re going to fight for her. It is not I who declare myself the winner but rather the people who have done so. My commitment remains to God and the Guatemalan people, and I will work with all my heart and strength not to defraud you.”

Last month Otto Perez Molina, the current president, resigned and was arrested on corruption charges.

He is in jail awaiting trial for allegedly leading a network of politicians and customs officials who took $3.8 million (£2.5 million) in bribes from businesses to ignore import duties. Mr Mo- rales, whose comedy show ran for 14 years and included lewd jokes, campaigned on promises which included handing out millions of mobile phones to children and tagging teachers with satellite tracking devices to make sure they attend lessons.

He also promised funds for nutrition programmes, supplies for hospitals which have run out of medicine and money for public prosecutors to investigate government corruption. His opponent, Sandra Torres, a social democrat and former first lady, said: “Guatemala is not a comedy. Guatemala has serious problems, but the people made their choice and we respect it.”