Guatemala has been deeply affected by decades of civil war, political corruption, and mass migration, leaving the country divided and struggling for justice.
The 2024 election of Bernardo Arévalo, a candidate supported by Indigenous and young voters and who promised accountability for civil war crimes, shocked the traditional ruling elite: politicians, military officials, and religious leaders who have long held power.
Arévalo's administration faces opposition from entrenched conservative forces, including judges and the attorney general, who have blocked his reforms and prompted sanctions from the Biden administration. However, Arévalo has managed to maintain a working relationship with the United States, including with President Trump's secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and has agreed to cooperate on U.S. immigration policies by accepting deported migrants and strengthening border security.
Guatemala remains polarized by the legacy of its violent civil war, and ongoing efforts to prosecute war crimes are hampered by political resistance and powerful figures aligned with the military. The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), which had made significant progress in fighting corruption and strengthening judicial institutions, was undermined by conservative forces allied with the Trump administration.
Despite Arévalo's diplomatic skill and reformist agenda, the country's political landscape remains tense, as conservative elites continue to resist accountability and justice for past atrocities.
