January 14th, 2012
08:54 PM ET

Former general sworn in as Guatemala's president

Retired army Gen. Otto Perez Molina was sworn in as Guatemala's president Saturday, pledging to take a tough stand on crime amid growing insecurity in the Central American nation.

"We have a country in crisis ... a nation very close to an economic and moral breakdown," he said. "Today, there is an air of hope."

Concerns about violence in Guatemala, which has worsened as Mexican drug cartels have stepped up operations in parts of the country, dominated last year's vote.

In a Vox Latina national survey in July, more than two-thirds of Guatemalans said violence was what concerned them most, far outpacing the combined totals for the economy, unemployment, poverty and lack of education.

The 61-year-old retired general pledged to bring a "mano dura" - firm hand - to Guatemala's highest office.

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soundoff (60 Responses)
  1. TORI©

    Hi Everyone, thank you for recognizing the fake one. In my border state any of aforementioned drugs can be obtained easily.My concern is more about the violence and crime statiscally on the rise. Drug Related?To some degree. Illegals? No. I'm not sure where it's going to fall but surely Guatamala's new president isn't going to make a dramatic difference.

    January 14, 2012 at 11:43 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Jim

    I've known TORI© for a while.
    The TORI© @11:43 is the true and correct one that we know.
    Anyone can use any name they like, but don't be surprised when the friends who know the differece won't talk to you.
    Therefore, while one is using the name that pleases him/her, friends of the original poster will tend to call the usurper out on it.

    January 15, 2012 at 12:18 am | Report abuse |
  3. Kandi

    Well you seem to be a little bit outnumbered TORY #l!

    January 15, 2012 at 12:34 am | Report abuse |
  4. Kandi

    Lol @ bobcat, good one! So then TORY #l can change his/her name to gummy bear OR even better Joykill, and if he/she is having a good day we can just call him/her Joy! I mean since his/her parents didnt bother to even name the poor thing!

    January 15, 2012 at 12:42 am | Report abuse |
  5. Kandi

    Lol @ jim sure i can but TORY #l gave me permission to change it and i wanted to see if he/she was payin attention and now i see that YOU were!

    January 15, 2012 at 12:47 am | Report abuse |
  6. Kandi

    Makes me believe everything that banasy* said now! He/she did ask you if you were Jim turns out he/she was correct!

    January 15, 2012 at 12:52 am | Report abuse |
  7. Kandi

    Because i wanted to see if you were the same person as the an@l retentav one posting as TORY #l that banasy kept calling Jim and turns out you are!Imagine that would ya??

    January 15, 2012 at 12:58 am | Report abuse |
  8. Kandi

    And no havent been here alot was on the political one today most of the day! This topic was an easy one to make light of though. And it was good for a laugh! If your not the same person than i apologize btw! And my real name is Candice but i prefer Kandi!

    January 15, 2012 at 1:04 am | Report abuse |
  9. Kandi

    No its not your imagination at all but its 2 be expected i guess, its election year. & i like talking politics but some people are extremely narrow minded when it comes 2 that topic particularly! Ive noticed to much emphasise on the party not the person!

    January 15, 2012 at 1:27 am | Report abuse |
  10. Kandi

    No i dont mind and yep good night to you also!

    January 15, 2012 at 1:31 am | Report abuse |
  11. Kandi

    Forgiven. I hear it often it gets annoying but i can get past it. But time for me to crash. Good nite and dont take em so close to bed time or half a dose then you can sleep!

    January 15, 2012 at 2:16 am | Report abuse |
  12. Tcr c2

    This is a dammed if you do and dammed if you dont situation, like i said before the drug war was started by reagan it will not stop but what war? We need to cut giving money to these countries and sit back and see if these central american countries can settle it on there own, if not than we need to send troops in and end it! Start at the central american area and fan out, at the same time shut down the boarderand it will stop . And your right if people want drugs they will get them, and the prices will go up and they will fein for there drugs

    January 15, 2012 at 2:08 pm | Report abuse |
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