Updated April 4, 2023
Guatemala: An Overview
Guatemala, the most populous country in Central America,
Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) to assist Guatemala in
has strived to consolidate its democracy since the 1990s. It
investigating, prosecuting, and dismantling illegal groups
has faced many political and social challenges, as well as
and clandestine structures. The United States provided
widespread corruption, impunity, and human rights abuses.
more than $44.5 million in funding for CICIG over the
Traditionally, the United States and Guatemala have had
course of the commission’s 12-year mandate (2007-2019).
close relations, with friction at times over certain issues,
CICIG and Guatemalan attorneys general secured
such as democratic governance and migration. Government
convictions of dozens of high-level officials, including a
corruption, migration, and food security in Guatemala have
former president and vice president for graft and customs
been long-standing concerns for some in Congress.
fraud. CICIG’s work angered many elites, including then-
President Jimmy Morales (2016-2020), himself under
Figure 1.Guatemala Map
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)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)/Per Capita GDP:

$91.3 bil ion/$4,880 (2022, current prices, IMF)
Source: Congressional Research Service.
Key Import Partners: United States (31.9%), China (18.2%),
Mexico (10.1%), El Salvador (3.3%) (2022, TDM)
Political Situation
Key Export Partners: United States (31.1%), El Salvador
Guatemala has a long history of internal conflict and
(13.0%), Honduras (10.1%), Nicaragua (6.4%) (2022, TDM)
violence, including a 36-year civil war (1960-1996). For
Sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF); National Statistics
most of that time, the Guatemalan military held power and
Institute of Guatemala (INE), Trade Data Monitor (TDM).
brutally repressed citizens’ human rights, with an estimated
death toll of over 200,000 people and forcible
Current President Alejandro Giammattei, with the right-
disappearance of some 45,000 (Indigenous people made up
wing Vamos party, won Guatemala’s 2019 presidential
the majority of these victims). In 1986, Guatemala
elections with 58% of the vote. However, as his term has
established a civilian democratic government, although
progressed, thousands of Guatemalans have protested
military repression continued. In December 1996, then-
widespread concerns about inflation and continued official
President Álvaro Arzú (1996-2000) and the Guatemalan
corruption. Human rights groups have reported attacks
National Revolutionary Unit (URNG), with support from
against the press and harassment of former anti-corruption
the United Nations mission in Guatemala, signed peace
prosecutors and judges, more than 30 of whom have fled
accords to end the conflict, but goals put forth in the
the country under threat of arrest since 2021. Giammattei’s
accords (e.g., eradicating extreme poverty, integrating
term is set to end in January 2024; he is constitutionally
indigenous Guatemalans, bolstering institutions) remain
barred from seeking reelection.
unfulfilled. Successive governments have failed to
strengthen Guatemalan justice systems to punish
2023 Elections
perpetrators of grave human rights abuses and massive
Guatemala is scheduled to hold presidential, legislative, and
corruption; Indigenous Guatemalans continue to face
municipal elections on June 25, 2023. Presidential
poverty and social exclusion.
candidates include Sandra Torres (former first lady to
President Álvaro Colom) and Zury Ríos (daughter of
Democratically elected civilian governments have led
former military President Efrain Ríos Montt). Guatemala’s
Guatemala for over 30 years, but democratic institutions
Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has rejected the
remain fragile, largely due to high levels of state capture by
candidacies of Maya Indigenous left-wing candidate
elites. In 2007, Guatemala requested that the United
Thelma Cabrera and her running mate, former human rights
Nations establish the International Commission against
ombudsman Jordán Rodas, who are well-known anti-
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Guatemala: An Overview
corruption activists; the TSE also rejected Roberto Arzú,
Division K). The Biden Administration also has redirected
son of former President Álvaro Arzú. Some domestic and
some aid over corruption issues.
international observers have expressed concerns regarding
the prospects for a free and fair vote.
U.S. Assistance. FY2022, the United States obligated
$117.9 million in U.S. foreign assistance for Guatemala,
Economic and Social Conditions
including $85.5 million in Development Assistance (DA),
Guatemala has the largest economy in Central America,
$31.6 million in Global Health Programs (GHP) funding,
with an estimated gross domestic product (GDP) of $91.3
and $800,000 in International Military and Education
billion in 2022, according to the International Monetary
Training (IMET). Guatemala may receive additional
Fund. Despite a growing economy, more than half of the
assistance through regional programs for Central America.
population and 79% of Indigenous Guatemalans live in
poverty. Guatemala’s tax-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in
For FY2023, the Biden Administration requested $162.8
Latin America, severely limiting the funds available for
million for Guatemala—$138 million in DA, $24 million in
public services and investments.
GHP, and $800,000 in IMET. The Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), does not include
Guatemala is home to one of the youngest populations in
a specific appropriations level for Guatemala. However, it
Latin America, with roughly 60% of citizens under 29 years
recommends “up to” $100 million for locally led
of age, according to Guatemala’s National Institute of
development programs, $61.5 million to support entities
Statistics. Although the country’s growing working-age
and activities to combat corruption, and $70 million for
population could boost economic growth, many youth face
programs to reduce violence against women and girls in
difficult circumstances and limited opportunities.
Central America.
According to the World Bank, 47% of children under the
age of five have stunted growth. Further, 29% of youth
Food Security. An estimated one-fifth of Guatemalan
aged 15-24 were not in school, training, or employment in
citizens face “crisis” levels of acute food insecurity,
2022, according to the International Labor Organization.
according to a nongovernmental source (the Integrated
Food Security Phase Classification). The U.S. Government
U.S.–Guatemalan Relations and
Global Food Security Strategy for 2022-2026, mandated by
Legislative Activity
the Global Food Security Act of 2016 (P.L. 114-195) and
Both Congress and the Biden Administration seek to
implemented through the Feed the Future initiative,
promote human rights, dismantle corruption, increase
identifies Guatemala as one of 12 target countries in which
citizen security, ensure transparency and accountability,
U.S. agencies are working to reduce poverty, hunger, and
address the root causes of migration, and suppress gangs
malnutrition. In FY2022, the United States—through the
and drug trafficking in Guatemala. U.S.-Guatemalan
U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population,
engagement initially increased under the Biden
Refugees, and Migration and Bureau for Humanitarian
Administration, but anti-democratic and corrupt practices
Assistance—provided $57.1 million in aid to Guatemala to
by Guatemalan officials have since strained relations.
address food insecurity and other humanitarian needs.
Migration. In FY2022, the U.S. Border Patrol encountered
Congressional Actions and Restrictions. Similar to prior
more than 228,000 Guatemalans at the southwest border,
years, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2023 (P.L.
making Guatemala the second-largest country of origin for
117-328), requires the State Department to withhold 60%
people migrating irregularly to the United States that year.
of Economic Support Fund and security assistance to the
The U.S. Agency for International Development has
Guatemalan government until the Secretary of State
identified the lack of economic opportunities, extortion,
certifies that the Guatemalan government has met
crime and violence, and corruption as the top drivers of
conditions related to corruption and public integrity, human
irregular migration. The United States and Mexico annually
rights, and migration, among other issues. Congress may
remove tens of thousands of Guatemalans. The Guatemalan
consider whether to adjust the percentage of withholdings
government has worked with U.S. and Mexican agencies to
based on progress made by the Guatemalan government.
combat human trafficking and smuggling under an effort
The State Department reprogrammed some FY2021
known as Joint Task Force Alpha, which started in 2021.
assistance to other countries due to the Guatemalan
Guatemala also expels irregular migrants from its territory
government’s failure to meet those criteria and has yet to
and considers applicants for refugee status.
issue certifications for FY2022 or FY2023.
Corruption. The Biden Administration has taken various
P.L. 117-328 also prohibits Foreign Military Financing
actions intended to stem Guatemala’s backsliding on
(FMF) to Guatemala. Although some members may
corruption and the rule of law under Giammattei. It has
consider allowing FMF in the future due to Guatemala’s
imposed visa sanctions on Attorney General Maria
role in curbing irregular migration, others may be
Consuelo Porras and her family, among other Guatemalan
concerned due to Guatemala’s misuse of Department of
officials and economic elites, pursuant to the United States-
Defense-provided equipment on multiple occasions from
Northern Triangle Enhanced Engagement Act (P.L. 116-
August 2018 to October 2021, including intimidating U.S.
260, Division FF, Subtitle F) and Section 7031(c) of the
officials and Guatemalan protesters.
Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related
Programs Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103,
Karla I. Rios, Analyst in Latin American Affairs
IF12340
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Guatemala: An Overview


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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12340 · VERSION 4 · UPDATED

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