Sunday´s election in Guatemala: Retired general Otto Pérez leads with anti-crime rhetoric after tapping into voter worries

Retired general Otto Pérez is the strong favorite to win Guatemala's presidential election on Sunday and become the first military man to lead the country since the return of democracy 25 years ago.

Perez, 60, has a big poll lead over centrist rival Manuel Baldiz-on after tapping into voters' worries about violent crime afflicting the Central American nation.

He has pledged to crack down on youth street gangs and encroaching Mexican drug cartels, whose ravages have been severe enough to override lingering voter concerns about the military's violent past.

Original source: Reuters