Guatemala

Politics

Guatemala's Congress on Nov. 26 reformed the Law Against Organized Crime, which was used in January 2024 to suspend President Bernardo Arevalo's Seed Movement party due to allegations that the party used false signatures for its formation, Prensa Libre reported the same day.

Guatemala: Congress Amends Law That Suspended President's Party

The Guatemalan Prosecutor's Office asked the Supreme Court to remove the immunity of President Bernardo Arevalo, claiming he made illegal payments to construction companies, Reuters reported Aug. 21.

Guatemala: Prosecutor's Move Against President Arevalo to Fuel Political Instability and Demonstrations 

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Economics

The Guatemalan Exporters Association said on May 23 that China prohibited coffee and macadamia nut imports from Guatemala without explanation, with shipments retained in Chinese ports, The Tico Times reported on May 24.

Guatemala, China: China Restricts Some Guatemalan Exports

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Panamanian President-elect Jose Raul Mulino's appointed security chief Frank Abrego said the new government is considering establishing checkpoints along the northern Darien Gap in order to combat migration through the territory, Reuters reported on May 16. 

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo announced on May 5 that he will propose a legal reform to Congress on May 6 that would allow Attorney General Consuelo Porras to be dismissed, Infobae reported on May 6.

Guatemala: President Proposes Reform To Allow Dismissal of Attorney General

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo traveled to Washington for a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, AP reported on March 25. 

U.S., Guatemala: Extra $1B From Washington Unlikely To Mitigate Regional Migration

The government of Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo filed a criminal complaint against Attorney General Consuelo Porras, accusing her of "breach of duties'' after she refused to participate in a Cabinet meeting in January, the Tico Times reported on Feb. 29. 

Guatemala: Government Files Criminal Complaint Against Attorney General

Bernardo Arevalo was sworn in as president of Guatemala shortly after midnight on Jan. 14 following nine hours of congressional delay and infighting, Bloomberg reported the same day.

Guatemala: Arevalo Sworn in as President, but Legal Challenges Remain

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U.S. border patrol officials drive near the wall along the Mexican border in Sasabe, Arizona, on Dec. 8, 2023. 

The fallout from Trump's pledged tariffs and mass deportations could worsen living conditions in countries like Mexico, though countries with like-minded leaders, like Argentina, may fare better.

What Trump's Focus on Immigration, Trade and Ideology Means for Latin America

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Policemen guard the car of Mayor Luis Chonillo after an attack on the official May 15, 2023, in Duran, Ecuador. Governments can take steps to stave off a surge in violence, but for many in the region, such measures will be politically and economically out of reach.

Governments can take steps to stave off a surge in violence, but for many in the region, such measures will be politically and economically out of reach.

Forecasting Latin America's Next Crime Hotspot After Ecuador

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Houthis during the capture of an Israel-linked cargo vessel in November 2023 at an unnamed location in the Red Sea.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: The Possible Houthi Reply to U.S.-U.K. Strikes, Taiwan's General Elections

Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo (center) takes part in a protest to demand the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, accused of generating an electoral crisis, in Guatemala City on Dec. 7, 2023. 

The ruling elite's efforts to keep President-elect Bernardo Arevalo from taking over and launching a corruption crackdown will create long-term domestic challenges and threaten U.S.-Guatemala ties.

What to Watch For as Guatemala Descends Into Political Crisis

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Guatemalan President-elect Bernardo Arevalo and Guatemalan outgoing President Alejandro Giammattei chat at the end of the second government transition meeting on Sept. 11, 2023. 

Threats of U.S. sanctions against Guatemala are unlikely to persuade the country's political elite from challenging the results of the presidential election, creating risks of unrest, as well as compliance challenges and possible political instability.

 U.S. Threats of Increased Sanctions Unlikely to Sway Guatemala's Political Elite

Soldiers conduct a patrol on July 22, 2023, in the Salvadorean municipality of Colon, where the MS-13 gang reportedly remains active. 

The success of El Salvador's counter-crime state of emergency in reducing the country's homicide rate will be hard to replicate, despite the efforts of nearby countries.

The Appeal (and Perils) of Crime Crackdowns in Latin America, Part 1

Police officers remain at the entrance of the Electoral Process Operations Center during government raids in Guatemala City on Sept. 12, 2023.

If political elites overturn Guatemala's election results, unrest and weaker relations with international partners will follow.

More Raids Threaten to Undermine Guatemala's Democracy

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New Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo (R) and his vice president, Karin Herrera, on Aug. 20 in Guatemala City. In the aftermath of anti-corruption presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo's Aug. 20 runoff win, the attorney general's office sent a letter Aug. 23 to the president of Congress, Shirley Rivera, requesting the suspension of Arevalo's Seed Movement party in a bid to weaken the president-elect.

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The Weekly Rundown: Political Uncertainty in Guatemala, a Potential LNG Strike in Australia

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Supporters of Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo attend a campaign rally in the Central Square in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on Aug. 16, 2023. 

The Weekly Rundown: Lunar Landings, the BRICS Summit and a Host of Elections

Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo speaks to supporters during a campaign rally in Totonicapan, Guatemala on July 15, 2023, ahead of the upcoming runoff election. 

If anti-corruption candidate Bernardo Arevalo wins the Aug. 20 vote, attempts by the country's ruling elite to keep him from entering office could lead to mass protests and U.S. sanctions.

Previewing Guatemala's Presidential Runoff

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Employees of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal on June 20, 2023, arrange ballots in Guatemala City during preparations for the upcoming general elections.

The Weekly Rundown: Guatemala Holds General Elections, Pakistan's IMF Bailout Program Expires

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) at a weekly Cabinet meeting Feb. 19, 2023, in Jerusalem.

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The Weekly Rundown: Israel's Cabinet Votes on a National Guard, Von der Leyen and Macron Visit China

Guatemala is one of the northernmost countries in Central America, bordering Mexico, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Guatemala’s mountainous terrain, tropical latitude and small size limit the country's influence in the Caribbean basin as compared to stronger North American neighbors.    The Sierra Madre Mountains stretch from Mexico into Guatemala, forming the majority of the country’s territory. The height and rugged terrain of this active volcanic range complicates the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, thereby limiting state control over the territory.    To the north, the tropical lowland Peten region comprises nearly a third of Guatemala’s territory. This humid region is densely forested with a climate unsuitable for agriculture. As a result, Peten is very lightly populated. Although Peten was for a time the heart of the Mayan civilization, the modern core of Guatemala lies in the southern Highlands.    At nearly 5,000 feet in elevation, the altitude of the capital, Guatemala City, moderates the tropical latitude, creating a mild climate suitable for growing crops like corn and beans that can support a sizable human population.    The city's strategic location gives the country access to both coasts and maritime trade on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Guatemala has historically found itself battered by the policies of its larger neighbors, including a 36-year civil war that was directly influence by the Cold War.    Today, Guatemala is a stopping point for western hemispheric drug traffickers. Difficult geography, a complex political neighborhood and few natural resources stand in the way of economic development and will continue to complicate Guatemala’s geopolitical future.

Security Challenges in Latin America

The Importance of Mexico

Crossing Borders

SITUATION REPORTS

Guatemala: Congress Amends Law That Suspended President's Party

Guatemala: Prosecutor's Move Against President Arevalo to Fuel Political Instability and Demonstrations

Guatemala, China: China Restricts Some Guatemalan Exports

Panama: President-Elect Considers Implementing Checkpoints at Darien Gap

Guatemala: President Proposes Reform To Allow Dismissal of Attorney General

U.S., Guatemala: Extra $1B From Washington Unlikely To Mitigate Regional Migration

Guatemala: Government Files Criminal Complaint Against Attorney General

Guatemala: Arevalo Sworn in as President, but Legal Challenges Remain

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