Center-Left Sociologist to Take Office as Guatemala’s New President

Bernardo Arévalo is set to take office Sunday as president of Guatemala with pledges to tackle the corruption and poverty that have fueled a wave of migration to the U.S., but an open confrontation with the country’s judiciary risks putting his plans in jeopardy.

The 65-year-old center-left sociologist has been locked in a monthslong tussle for power with the country’s establishment since emerging as a surprise front-runner in last year’s election campaign. His win in August has been marked by allegations of fraud against him and his party leveled by Guatemalan Attorney General Consuelo Porras and several prosecutors.