[1] The October Revolution had overthrown Jorge Ubico, the American-backed dictator,[2] after which a junta composed of Francisco Javier Arana, Jacobo Árbenz and Jorge Toriello took power, and quickly announced presidential elections, as well as elections for a constitutional assembly.

[3] The subsequent elections were broadly considered free and fair,[4] although only literate men were given the vote.

[4] The front-runner was the university professor Juan José Arévalo, nominated by the National Renovation Party.

His closest challenger was Adrián Recinos, whose campaign included a number of individuals identified with the Ubico regime.

[4] The Constitutional Assembly elections took place on 28–30 December, with the United Front of Arevalist Parties winning 50 of the 65 seats.