Alfonso Portillo's triumphant return to Guatemala?

As Alfonso Portillo prepares for his release from a US prison after serving time for conspiracy to launder $2.5 million in donations from Taiwan, some Guatemalans are looking to the former president to propel them to the presidency. 

Hard as it is to believe, Portillo is seen as an asset to those with hopes of winning September's national elections. That paves the way for his return to politics via the vice presidency. Here's Nic Wirtz's take in Americas Quarterly:

Portillo is, at the very least, a polemic figure in Guatemalan politics. In a survey of former presidents by national magazine Contrapoder, Portillo’s government (2000-2004) was named the best by 45.5 percent of those asked. The most recent poll, from July 2014 by Borge y Asociados, saw 52 percent of participants claim that Portillo was the best president of the democratic period, and 51 percent said they would vote for him again. However, the results were markedly different in 2002—during Portillo’s government—when the same company found that 57 percent of respondents said that Portillo’s time in power was the most corrupt in Guatemalan history.

“Why do people support Portillo? On economic policy, and I do not mean radical or socialist policies, but simply with the rules, market liberalization, competition, no tax privileges,”Gutiérrez told Nómada last week. “That caused a huge relief that allowed people access to cheaper products. He [Portillo] represents the myth of Robin Hood, the hero who took from the rich to give to the poor.”

Whether Portillo is a changed man looking for redemption or is merely seizing the opportunity to return to office is immaterial. His very presence changes the political climate and will force opponents and voters to make tough decisions in September’s election.

As of right now, Alejandro Sinibaldi of the Patriotic Party and Manuel Baldizon of the LIDER party are the front runners for the presidency.

Be sure to get your ropa interior once again.