Guatemalan presidential term referendum, 1935

Guatemala

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A referendum on the presidential term of Jorge Ubico was held in Guatemala on 25 May 1935. If approved, it would allow Ubico to override the constitutional limitation on serving two consecutive terms in office. It was reportedly approved by 99.85% of voters.[1]

Contents

Background

In 1934, a group of civilians feared that Ubico intended to establish a dictatorship. They planned to assassinate him, and drew in military allies who had lost administrative posts or commands under his rule. However, they were betrayed from within, and many were executed as a result.[2] Six months later, Ubico convened a Constitutional Assembly with the aim of changing the constitution to allow him to remain in office until 1943.[2]

Congress received thousands of (allegedly) spontaneous and identical petitions from 246 municipalities, which all called for the constitution to be amended to extend his term in office. Ubico then called a referendum on the issue.[3]

Results

Choice Votes %
For 834,168 99.85
Against 1,227 0.15
Invalid/blank votes -
Total 839,395 100
Source: Grieb

References

  1. ^ Grieb, Kenneth J (1996) "El gobierno de Jorge Ubico" Historia general de Guatemala 1993-1999. Guatemala: Asociación de Amigos del País, Fundación para la Cultura y el Desarrollo. Volume 5, p54
  2. ^ a b Schlewitz, Andrew James (1999) The rise of a military state in Guatemala, 1931-1966 New York: New School University. Unpublished dissertation, p319
  3. ^ Yashar, Deborah J (1997) Demanding democracy: reform and reaction in Costa Rica and Guatemala, 1870s-1950s Stanford: Stanford University Press, p42

Bibliography