Guatemala Elections by Darren Hauck

Caught between picture perfect mountains and traditional Maya culture, to many it’s a tourist dream, but to the majority of those who live there it’s a daily struggle between violence and daily living.

Being a major layover for Colombian cocaine on its way to the United States, Guatemala has gained one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with almost 6,000 people killed in the country of 13 million in 2006.

Poverty runs wild especially in the countryside and with a government based on extortion, crime, drugs and gangs -- mainly M.S. 13 and 18th life -- is not easy. The majority of people are kind souls stuck in a situation that leaves little hope, at least in the near future. The country's elections were set for Sept. 9th 2007. The two main contenders are Alvaro Colom and ex-Gen. Otto Perez Molina. The Colom campaign is filled with drug lords and has corruption written all over it. Molina's campaign symbol is a clenched fist, which brings back many memories of previous strong-handed leaders who abused their power. Two great choices, huh?

The campaign season has been one of the most bloody since the civil war ended in 1996 with drug gangs and political rivals killing 50 people in the campaign so far. The elections are reset for Nov. 4th with no clear leader yet. I will be heading back to work more on this country that I first worked in back in 2005 and have continued to and will for some time. I love it there, the people are amazing the views extraordinary and the struggle seems as though it will not end anytime soon.

A man throws a Molotov cocktail at the mayor’s office Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007, Palin Guatemala. A angry mob took to the streets and went on to burn down the mayors office as well as his home in demonstration after and clash with local police on the previous day. Residents accuse the mayor of, among other things, of bussing voters for the elections on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

A masked man jumps with his fist in the air out side of the mayors office after protestors set it on fire Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007, Palin Guatemala. A angry mob took to the streets and went on to burn down the mayors office as well as his home in demonstration after and clash with local police on the previous day. Residents accuse the mayor of, among other things, of bussing voters for the elections on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by/ Darren Hauck)

A member of the special anti riot police force calls for more officers as it takes on protestors Tuesday Sept. 11, 2007, Palin Guatemala. A angry mob took to the streets and went on to burn down the mayor's office as well as his home in demonstration after and clash with local police on the previous day. Residents accuse the mayor of, among other things, of bussing voters for the elections on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

An MS 13 gang member receives stitches to the back of his head as members of the street gang MS, are brought to the Guatemala city emergency room after a riot broke out at the San Jose Pinula jail where 15 people were hurt and taken to the hospital Monday Sept. 11, 2007 Guatemala City, Guatemala. (photo by Darren Hauck)

An MS 13 gang member receives medical attention at the Guatemala city emergency room after a riot broke out at the San Jose Pinula jail where 15 people were hurt and taken to the hospital Monday Sept. 11, 2007 Guatemala City, Guatemala. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Members of a citizen security patrol group, stand guard armed with weapons and machetes and radios patrol the street at night in Barcenas Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007 in Guatemala City Guatemala. The vigilanties were forced to take to the streets after increased threats of murder and extortion along with a gun battle with automatic weapons where they killed a expected gang member on Sunday. Crime has become a serious issue in the upcoming elections that are to take place on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala City, Local villagers patrol the streets to protect their families from gangs murders and extortion Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007 in Guatemala City Guatemala. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala City, Various police officers and Ministerio Publico, or Public Ministry work a crime scene where a Suspected 18 street gang member was found murdered in zone 1 of Guatemala Wednesday Sept. 5, 2007. With campaign posters lining the street poles for the upcoming presidential elections to be held on Sept. 9, violence and security are the key issues are the main issues for a central American country know for violence. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala La Democracia, A man sits below a banner for Presidential Candidate, Otto Perez Molina, of the Patriotic Party before he speaks at a rally in La Democracia Guatemala, Thursday Sept 6, 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala La Democracia, Presidential Candidate, Otto Perez Molina, of the Patriotic Party, bottom left, speaks to supporters at a rally in La Democracia Guatemala, Thursday Sept 6, 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala San Raymundo, Presidential Candidate, Rigoberta Menchu attends a funeral for two campaign workers who were found murdered earlier in the week in San Raymundo Guatemala, Friday Sept 7, 2007. Crime has become a serious issue in the upcoming elections that are to take place on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala San Raymundo, A women weeps as she attends a funeral for two of Presidential Candidate, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu, campaign workers who were found murdered earlier in the week in San Raymundo Guatemala, Friday Sept 7, 2007. Crime has become a serious issue in the upcoming elections that are to take place on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala San Raymundo, A women is embraced as she weeps while attending a funeral for two of Presidential Candidate, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu, campaign workers who were found murdered earlier in the week in San Raymundo Guatemala, Friday Sept 7, 2007. Crime has become a serious issue in the upcoming elections that are to take place on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala San Raymundo, Mourners fill the grave site for one of the two Presidential Candidate, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Rigoberta Menchu campaign workers, who were found murdered earlier in the week is taken to its final resting place in San Raymundo Guatemala, Friday Sept 7, 2007. Crime has become a serious issue in the upcoming elections that are to take place on Sept. 9 2007. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Guatemala City, Police officers watch the perimeter of a crime scene where a 12 year old girl was found dead inside a trash bag in Zone 1 Saturday Sept. 8, 2007, Guatemala City. Crime has become a major issue for Guatemala where it has become one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Fog surrounds El Narajo neighborhood in zone 7 the morning Guatemala’s residents head out to cast the vote for the presidential election Sunday Sept. 9, 2007, Guatemala City. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Presidential candidate Alvaro Colom, of the National Unity for Hope Party, waves as he prepares to vote Sunday Sept. 9, 2007, Guatemala City. (photo by Darren Hauck)

A soldier from the Guatemalan army stands guard near a polling station on the day of the Presidential Elections in Barcenas, a small city just outside of Guatemala City Sunday Sept. 9, 2007, Guatemala City. (photo by Darren Hauck)

Two horses graze in a back alley in Barcenas, a small city just outside of Guatemala City Sunday Sept. 9, 2007, Guatemala City. (photo by Darren Hauck)