Guatemalan President Takes Lead

President Alvaro Colom and his Vice President Rafael Espada take office today in Guatemala. Despite being part of the elite population they also know that over half of the population in Guatemala, Mayan Indians, suffer discrimination and survive on less than $1 a day.

Colom once studied as a Mayan priest and Espada gave up a decade long medical career in Texas to return to Guatemala to run with Colom. Together, they are hoping to heal the “sick” nation.

Colom is best known for his work in bringing home the Mayan refugees after the civil war ended in 1996 and has an understanding of the entire country’s economic situation.

“I’m sure we can create a more conciliatory nation,” Colom, 56, told the AP “We know the country’s problems inside and out.” Peacemaking, he says, “taught me to have patience, that things don’t happen in 24 hours.”