Retired general Otto Perez waves at supporters after winning Guatemala's presidential election with 54% of the vote.
Supporters jumped and danced with joy at his Guatemala City rally late Sunday as fireworks filled the air.
The 60-year-old right wing candidate swore to keep his campaign promises, namely curbing crime and drug smuggling.
(SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) OTTO PEREZ
"We have a great responsibility, to make the changes that we are always talking about. To make the changes that all us Guatemalans deserve. To make the changes that we spoke about during our campaign. We do what we say. We are not liars. We are not phonies, and we do not promise things that won't be done. We are of our word, and we will bring change."
He added that he was also changing history with his running partner who will be vice president.
SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) OTTO PEREZ
"And we are making history with the first female Vice-President of the republic, Roxana Baldetti."
Central America's largest economy is struggling with high crime and has a murder rate eight times that of the United States.
Although part of Guatemala's controversial military dictatorship, Perez was never charged with human rights abuses and was seen as instrumental to a 1996 peace deal that ended the country's civil war.
Jessica Gray, Reuters