 Árbenz 's role as defense minister had already made him a strong candidate for the presidency , and his firm support of the government during the 1949 uprising further increased his prestige . In 1950 , the economically moderate Partido de Integridad Nacional ( PIN ) announced that Árbenz would be its presidential candidate in the upcoming election . This announcement was quickly followed by endorsements from most parties on the left , including the influential PAR , as well as from labor unions . Árbenz had only a couple of significant challengers in the election , in a field of ten candidates . One of these was Jorge García Granados , who was supported by some members of the upper @-@ middle class who felt the revolution had gone too far . Another was Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes , who had been a general under Ubico , and who had the support of the hardline opponents of the revolution . During his campaign , Árbenz promised to continue and expand the reforms begun under Arévalo . The election was held on 15 November 1950 , and Árbenz won more than 60 % of the vote , in elections that were free and fair with the exception of the disenfranchisement of illiterate female voters . Árbenz was inaugurated as president on 15 March 1951 . 
