Candidate killed as Guatemalan political violence intensifies

A candidate running for local office in Guatemala was killed in the latest example of political violence. Clara Luz Lopez- who was part of the political faction backing Rigoberta Menchu’s presidential bid- thus becomes one of approximately forty candidates or senior party officials murdered in Guatemala according to The Telegraph.

Menchu- who won the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize- stopped her campaign due to low popularity and lack of funds. Yet with less than two weeks to go in the elections she criticized the violence that has gotten out of hand:

“It is not the first attack, nor is it the first (person) who loses his her life in this campaign…Encouraging violence leads to more violence.”

Center-left candidate Alvaro Colom continues leading the polls for the presidency though his 22% is far behind the majority needed to avoid a runoff.

Sources- Telegraph.co.uk, BBC News, Prensa Latina, Angus Reid Consultants, People's Daily Online

Image- Telegraph.co.uk (According to the caption: “Congressional candidate Hector Montenegro holds a picture of his murdered daughter Marta Cristina”)