Evangelicals in Guatemala throw support behind party of retired general

Guatemala City, Guatemala, Aug 30, 2007 / 09:00 am

The National Association of Evangelical Ministers of Guatemala has taken the controversial step to politically back retired General Otto Perez Molina as the presidential candidate for the “Patriotic Party.”

The decision to openly support a party in the next general election was taken on Tuesday, after the candidate for the Patriotic Party laid out his political agenda to more than one hundred pastors who make up the evangelical association.

During the encounter, Perez Molina reminded the evangelical ministers that, in addition to security and employment, his agenda includes social and rural development, and he told them to pay no attention to the candidate of the National Unity of Hope Party, who is telling voters not to elect a military officer.

“Jehovah is the God of hosts and he does not reject military officers.  He has blessed our campaign and each day there are more people supporting us,” Perez Molina said.

Josue Muñoz of Prince of Peace Church led the opening prayer at the meeting, during which the evangelical ministers laid hands on Perez Molina as a sign of approval and support.

“When Pastor Harold Caballeros was running (as a candidate for president), evangelicals had a choice. But since he dropped out, the only one left to support is the general,” Munoz told the newspaper “Prensa Libre.”

“We pastors are guides of our flock, and many people have started asking for advice.  Therefore our obligation is to tell them who is the best choice, and the best is this candidate (Perez Molina),” said Pastor Saul Perez.