GUATEMALA

In 2025, Guatemala is undergoing a period of political uncertainty following the inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo, elected in 2023 under the progressive Semilla party. His rise to power generated significant hope among young people and the urban middle class, but it faces strong resistance from traditional elites, sectors of the judiciary, and conservative economic groups.

President Arévalo's government has pledged to fight systemic corruption, strengthen democratic institutions, and restore the rule of law. However, these reforms are hindered by institutional blockages and persistent hostility from the Public Ministry, which attempted multiple times to obstruct the democratic transition following the 2023 elections.

On the security front, crime remains extremely high. Gangs (maras), drug trafficking networks, and local militias wield considerable influence across many regions, especially in urban areas such as Guatemala City, Mixco, Escuintla, and certain border provinces. Extortion, kidnappings, targeted killings, and homicides are common. Authorities are often overwhelmed or complicit. This criminality is reinforced by collusion between elites and organised crime. Many institutions are infiltrated by private or criminal interests, posing serious risks to NGOs working on human rights, anti-corruption, environmental protection, or social justice issues.

Rural areas are also affected by land conflicts, tensions over mining or illicit crops, and violence targeting indigenous communities, environmental defenders, and grassroots activists. Several assassinations of local leaders were reported in 2024, particularly in the departments of Huehuetenango, Quiché, and Alta Verapaz.

Migration remains a central issue: thousands of Guatemalans, facing poverty, violence, and a lack of opportunities, continue to attempt the journey to the United States via Mexico. These mass departures disrupt local communities and fuel both domestic and regional political tensions.

For foreign travellers, Guatemala presents significant risks. In 2024, incidents involving assaults on tourists were reported in major tourist areas, including around Lake Atitlán, Antigua, and Tikal. It is essential to travel with recognised operators, avoid travelling at night, and steer clear of sensitive neighbourhoods.