March 6, 2023
Guatemala: An Overview
Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America,
Nations establish the International Commission against
has strived to consolidate its democracy since the 1990s. It
Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) to assist Guatemala in
has faced many political and social challenges, as well as
investigating, prosecuting, and dismantling illegal groups
widespread corruption, impunity, and human rights abuses.
and clandestine structures. The United States provided
Traditionally, the United States and Guatemala have had
more than $44.5 million in funding for CICIG over the
close relations, with friction at times over certain issues,
course of the commission’s 12-year mandate (2007-2019).
such as democratic governance and migration. Government
CICIG and Guatemalan attorneys general secured
corruption, migration, and food security in Guatemala have
convictions of dozens of high-level officials, including a
been long-standing concerns for some in Congress.
former president and vice president for graft and customs
fraud. CICIG’s work angered many elites, including then-
Figure 1. Guatemala Map
President Jimmy Morales (2016-2020), himself under
investigation, who refused to extend its mandate.
Guatemala at a Glance
Capital: Guatemala City
Area: 42,000 square miles, about the size of Tennessee
Population: 19.1 mil ion (2023, IMF est.)
Ethnic Composition: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish;
called Ladino in local Spanish) 62.8%, Maya 34.9%, Xinka
(Indigenous, non-Maya) 2.1%, Garifuna 0.1%, foreign 0.2%
(2018 est., INE)
GDP/Per Capita GDP: $91.3 bil ion/$4,880 (2022, current
prices, IMF)
Source: Congressional Research Service.
Key Import Partners: United States (32.5%), China (18.1%),
Political Situation
Mexico (10.2%), El Salvador (3.3%) (2022, TDM)
Guatemala has a long history of internal conflict and
Key Export Partners: United States (31.7 %), El Salvador
violence, including a 36-year civil war (1960-1996). For
(13 %), Honduras (9.8%), Nicaragua (6.3%) (2022, TDM)
most of that time, the Guatemalan military held power and
Sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF); National Statistics
brutally repressed citizens’ human rights, with an estimated
Institute of Guatemala (INE), Trade Data Monitor (TDM).
death toll of over 200,000 people and forcible
disappearance of some 45,000 (Indigenous people made up
Current President Alejandro Giammattei, with the right-
the majority of these victims). In 1986, Guatemala
wing Vamos party, won Guatemala’s 2019 presidential
established a civilian democratic government, although
elections with 58% of the vote. However, as his term has
military repression continued. In December 1996, then-
progressed, thousands of Guatemalans have protested
President Álvaro Arzú (1996-2000) and the Guatemalan
widespread concerns about inflation and continued official
National Revolutionary Unit (URNG), with support from
corruption. Human rights groups have reported attacks
the United Nations mission in Guatemala, signed peace
against the press and harassment of former anti-corruption
accords to end the conflict, but goals put forth in the
prosecutors and judges, more than 30 of whom have fled
accords (e.g., eradicating extreme poverty, integrating
the country under threat of arrest since 2021. Giammattei’s
indigenous Guatemalans, bolstering institutions) remain
term is set to end in January 2024; he is constitutionally
unfulfilled. Successive governments have failed to
barred from seeking reelection.
strengthen Guatemalan justice systems to punish
perpetrators of grave human rights abuses and massive
2023 Elections
corruption; Indigenous Guatemalans continue to face
Guatemala is scheduled to hold presidential, legislative, and
poverty and social exclusion.
municipal elections on June 25, 2023. Presidential
candidates include Sandra Torres (former first lady to
Democratically elected civilian governments have led
President Álvaro Colom) and Zury Ríos (daughter of
Guatemala for over 30 years, but democratic institutions
former military President Efrain Ríos Montt). Guatemala’s
remain fragile, largely due to high levels of state capture by
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has rejected the
elites. In 2007, Guatemala requested that the United
candidacies of Maya Indigenous left-wing candidate
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Guatemala: An Overview
Thelma Cabrera and her running mate, former human rights
Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103,
ombudsman Jordán Rodas, who are well-known anti-
Division K). The Biden Administration also has redirected
corruption activists; the TSE also rejected Roberto Arzú,
some aid over corruption issues.
son of former President Álvaro Arzú. Some domestic and
international observers have expressed concerns regarding
U.S. Assistance. FY2022, the United States obligated
the prospects for a free and fair vote.
$117.9 million in U.S. foreign assistance for Guatemala,
including $85.5 million in Development Assistance (DA),
Economic and Social Conditions
$31.6 million in Global Health Programs (GHP) funding,
Guatemala has the largest economy in Central America,
and $800,000 in International Military and Education
with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of $91.3
Training (IMET). Guatemala may receive additional
billion in 2022, according to the International Monetary
assistance through regional programs for Central America.
Fund. Despite a growing economy, more than half of the
population and 79% of Indigenous Guatemalans live in
For FY2023, the Biden Administration requested $162.8
poverty. Guatemala’s tax-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in
million for Guatemala—$138 million in DA, $24 million in
Latin America, severely limiting the funds available for
GHP, and $800,000 in IMET. The Consolidated
public services and investments.
Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), does not include
a specific appropriations level for Guatemala. However, it
Guatemala is home to one of the youngest populations in
recommends “up to” $100 million for locally led
Latin America, with roughly 60% of citizens under 29 years
development programs, $61.5 million to support entities
of age, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of
and activities to combat corruption, and $70 million for
Statistics. Although the country’s growing working-age
programs to reduce violence against women and girls in
population could boost economic growth, many youth face
Central America.
difficult circumstances and limited opportunities.
According to the World Bank, 47% of children under the
Food Security. An estimated one-fifth of Guatemalan
age of five have stunted growth. Further, 29% of youth
citizens face “crisis” levels of acute food insecurity,
aged 15-24 were not in school, training, or employment in
according to a nongovernmental source (the Integrated
2022, according to the International Labor Organization.
Food Security Phase Classification). The U.S. Government
Global Food Security Strategy for 2022-2026, mandated by
U.S.–Guatemalan Relations and
the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-195) and
Legislative Activity
implemented through the Feed the Future initiative,
Both Congress and the Biden Administration seek to
identifies Guatemala as one of 12 target countries in which
promote human rights, dismantle corruption, increase
U.S. agencies are working to reduce poverty, hunger, and
citizen security, ensure transparency and accountability,
malnutrition. In FY2022, the United States—through the
address the root causes of migration, and suppress gangs
U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population,
and drug trafficking in Guatemala. U.S.-Guatemalan
Refugees, and Migration and Bureau for Humanitarian
engagement initially increased under the Biden
Assistance—provided $57.1 million in aid to Guatemala to
Administration, but anti-democratic and corrupt practices
address food insecurity and other humanitarian needs.
by Guatemalan officials have since strained relations.
Congressional Actions and Restrictions. Similar to prior
Migration. In FY2022, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered
years, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2023 (P.L.
more than 228,000 Guatemalans at the southwest border,
117-328), requires the State Department to withhold 60%
making Guatemala the second-largest country of origin for
of Economic Support Fund and security assistance to the
people migrating irregularly to the United States that year.
Guatemalan government until the Secretary of State
The U.S. Agency for International Development has
certifies that the Guatemalan government has met
identified the lack of economic opportunities, extortion,
conditions related to corruption and public integrity, human
crime and violence, and corruption as the top drivers of
rights, and migration, among other issues. Congress may
irregular migration. The United States and Mexico annually
consider whether to adjust the percentage of withholdings
remove tens of thousands of Guatemalans. The Guatemalan
based on progress made by the Guatemalan government.
government has worked with U.S. and Mexican agencies to
The State Department reprogrammed some FY2021
combat human trafficking and smuggling under an effort
assistance to other countries due to the Guatemalan
known as Joint Task Force Alpha, which started in 2021.
government’s failure to meet those criteria and has yet to
Guatemala also expels irregular migrants from its territory
issue certifications for FY2022 or FY2023.
and considers applicants for refugee status.
P.L. 117-328 also prohibits Foreign Military Financing
Corruption. The Biden Administration has taken various
(FMF) to Guatemala. Although some members may
actions intended to stem Guatemala’s backsliding on
consider allowing FMF in the future due to Guatemala’s
corruption and the rule of law under Giammattei. It has
role in curbing irregular migration, others may be
imposed visa sanctions on Attorney General Maria
concerned due to Guatemala’s misuse of Department of
Consuelo Porras and her family, among other Guatemalan
Defense-provided equipment on multiple occasions from
officials and economic elites, pursuant to the United States-
August 2018 to October 2021, including intimidating U.S.
Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (P.L. 116-
officials and Guatemalan protesters.
260, Division FF, Subtitle F) and Section 7031(c) of the
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Karla I. Rios, Analyst in Latin American Affairs
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Guatemala: An Overview

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