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The US State Department says it is "deeply concerned" about what it's described as "threats to Guatemala's electoral democracy"- after the country's top prosecutor suspended the party of a leading presidential candidate. Officials raided the offices of Bernardo Arévalo's Semilla movement, which has been accused of forging the signatures of five thousand citizens. Mr Arevalo is a former diplomat and son of Guatemala's first democratically elected president. In the first round of voting, he unexpectedly came second to former first lady - Sandra Torres - earning him a place in next month's run-off. Newshour's Jamie Coomarasamy asked him why the authorities were attempting to ban his party.

(Photo: Presidential candidate for the Semilla party Bernardo Arévalo holds a rally at the Parque Central a day after the first round of Guatemala's presidential election, in Guatemala City on 26 June 2023. Credit: Reuters/Josue Decavele)