Presidency by way of divorce

Earlier this month, Guatemalan First Lady Sandra Torres announced she'd be running in the country's presidential elections in September. Critics and opponents were quick to point out that her candidacy was illegitimate, since Guatemala forbids close family members of presidents from running -- a measure intended to stem nepotism and promote democracy. But laws aren't always completely respected in that neck of the woods, and she didn't seem too worried about it. Well, yesterday, word got out that Torres and her husband, President Alvaro Colom (with whom she claims to have an "excellent relationship"), have filed for divorce. According to their political party, "They are doing it for national interests and not personal interests. They are making a sacrifice." Bless their hearts.

Torres, who gained recognition (both good and bad) for social programs she has supported as First Lady, is up against Otto Pérez Molina, an army general who was active in the country's civil war in which the military behaved very badly. Molina is doing well in the polls because he has promised to crack down on organized crime.

Last week, Daniel Altschuler and Javier Corrales wrote an insightful piece for Americas Quarterly, discussing Guatemala's lamentable choice between "the Iron Fist and conjugal continuismo." They sum it up well.

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