In our continuing look at the candidates up for election in September in Guatemala, here's Rigoberta Menchú, Presidential candidate for Encuentro Por Guatemala (EPG), and her running mate as they say in the States, Luis Fernando Montenegro the Vice Presidential candidate for EPG. In this interview on Guatevision they spoke a lot about the diversity they represent and the fact that it's the first time a woman is standing for the Presidency. You can also see: [Part 2] and [Part 3] and [Guatevision's presentation of Rigoberta Menchú].

It's a far cry from the interview that Menchú did for the film 'When the Mountains Tremble' all those years ago (1983). Much has been written about who Menchú really is- as it says on her election website. I'll just say that I found it really interesting to listen to what Rigoberta's sister Anita Menchú Tum says on a podcast (second part [41]) in Mexico called "Más Allá De Las Fronteras" recorded several months before Rigoberta confirmed her candidacy. She talks about their family and their life growing up. It made me see a new side to Rigoberta that I hadn't felt as powerfully before.

As we get closer to the elections that are going to be taking place in Guatemala in September, we'll be taking a look at the information out there about the range of different candidates standing.


Here Nineth Montenegro (Encuentro Por Guatemala) explains her beliefs and formative experiences in an interview on Guatevision. She talks about her political partnership with Rigoberta Menchu (Winaq) and challenge for women in Guatemala as they stand together for elected office with Encuentro Por Guatemala.

The second part is here.

Menchu has around 10% of the votes according to the most recent opinion polls- representing a significant growth in support since she formally confirmed her candidatura.