 |
Alejandro Giammattei42nd President of Guatemala since January 14, 2020
Date of Birth: 09.03.1956
|
Content:
- Alejandro Giammattei: From Prison to President
- Public Service
- Political Career
- Presidential Campaigns
- Founding the Vamos Party
- Presidential Victory
- Personal Life
Alejandro Giammattei: From Prison to President
Early Life and EducationAlejandro Giammattei, the 42nd President of Guatemala, was born on March 9, 1956, in Guatemala City. He attended the private Liceo Guatemala and later studied medicine at the University of San Carlos from 1980.
Public Service
From 1982 to 1986, Giammattei worked as a consultant with the Pan American Health Organization affiliated with the World Health Organization. Subsequently, he served as director of Guatemala City's municipal fire department from 1986 to 1990. He also held the position of general manager of the municipal water company after 1990.
Political Career
Giammattei began his political career in 1985 as a coordinator in various electoral processes. He gained recognition both nationally and internationally through his association with former Vice President Arturo Herbruger. From 2000 onward, he worked as a consultant to several companies and private agencies, while also establishing several businesses.
In 2006, Giammattei was appointed director of the Guatemalan Penitentiary System, a position he held until 2008. His tenure was marked by controversies and accusations, leading to a brief period of imprisonment.
Presidential Campaigns
Giammattei ran for president four times: in 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019. In 2007, he stood as the candidate for the Great National Alliance (GANA) and placed third with 17.23% of the vote. In 2011, he ran for the Center for Social Action party but suffered a crushing defeat with only 1.04% of the vote. In 2015, he competed with the Valor party and garnered 6.53% of the vote, placing fourth among 14 candidates.
Founding the Vamos Party
In 2017, Giammattei founded the Vamos party and ran for president under its banner in the 2019 election. After securing 13.95% of the vote in the first round, he advanced to the second round.
Presidential Victory
On August 11, 2019, Giammattei emerged victorious in the second round with 57.9% of the vote. His social democratic opponent, Sandra Torres, conceded defeat.
Personal Life
Giammattei married Rosana Cáceres on February 11, 1989. They had three children together. By the time Giammattei began his presidential campaign in 2019, he and Rosana were divorced. As a result, their daughter, Marcela, became the First Lady of Guatemala.
Giammattei cites Mahatma Gandhi as his greatest inspiration. He suffers from multiple sclerosis and uses crutches to walk.
