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Guatemala

Last updated: October 19, 2026

Recent Developments

Recent developments in Guatemala reflect continuing violence against anti-corruption organizations and activists as well as efforts to address the misuse of criminal proceedings against civil society. For example:

  • On October 17, 2026, prominent anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa was shot and killed in Guatemala City. He had represented journalist José Rubén Zamora and was detained during the previous Attorney General’s tenure because of his defense of Zamora. Human Rights Watch called for a credible investigation, including identifying anyone who planned or ordered the killing.
  • The Public Prosecutor’s Office began restructuring under Attorney General Gabriel García Luna, who took office in May 2026. In September 2026, courts closed proceedings against five Indigenous leaders prosecuted following the 2023 demonstrations defending the election results. On October 7, the government publicly apologized to the authorities and their organizations. While these developments offer edopportunities to address past persecution, accountability for other abuses remained incomplete.
  • In September 2026, Decree 15-2026, the Comprehensive Law for the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering, Other Assets, and the Financing of Terrorism, entered into force. Nonprofit status alone does not make an organization a reporting entity. However, Article 25 requires banks and other reporting entities to apply additional checks to nonprofit clients, potentially increasing documentation burdens and delaying access to banking services and funding.
  • In July and October 2026, the Constitutional Court accepted prosecutors’ withdrawal of appeals seeking to return José Rubén Zamora to prison. He remains under house arrest and faces unresolved criminal proceedings. Press freedom organizations regard his prosecution as retaliation for his reporting on corruption.

While we aim to maintain information that is as current as possible, we realize that situations can rapidly change. If you are aware of any additional information or inaccuracies on this page, please keep us informed; write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.

Introduction

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Guatemala play an active role in community development, service delivery, public accountability and the defense of human rights. Indigenous authorities, community organizations, journalists and other civic actors have also been prominent in defending democratic institutions. During 2026, CSOs monitored appointments to key public bodies and advocated for transparent selection processes and qualified, independent officials.

Guatemala’s legal system follows the civil law tradition. The Constitution guarantees freedom of association, peaceful assembly and expression, while the Civil Code and the Law on Non-Governmental Organizations for Development provide the principal frameworks for establishing and operating CSOs. In practice, administrative requirements, restrictive interpretations of legislation and the misuse of criminal proceedings can constrain these rights.

The Arévalo administration, which took office in January 2024, has adopted a more receptive approach to civil society dialogue and introduced the Public Policy for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala 2025–2035. Changes in the leadership of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in May 2026 and the subsequent review of criminal proceedings have created opportunities to address past persecution. However, threats, stigmatization, violence and weaknesses in judicial independence continue to affect civic actors, particularly those working on corruption, Indigenous rights and land and environmental issues.

Civic Freedoms at a Glance

Organizational FormsAssociations, foundations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are the principal legal forms used by CSOs. Other forms are recognized under sector-specific legislation.
Registration BodyRegistry of Legal Entities (REPEJU). Other organizational forms register with the authorities specified in their governing legislation, including municipal registries for certain local organizations.
Approximate NumberAssociations: 16,917; foundations: 1,222; NGOs: 2,832; civil partnerships: 314. (Source: REPEJU information supplied through the Ministry of the Interior’s Public Information Access Unit, September 2026. These are registration figures, not counts of active organizations.).
Barriers to FormationNGOs require at least seven founding members. Foreigners may constitute no more than 25 percent of NGO membership and must reside in Guatemala. Registration requirements vary by organizational form, and inconsistent administrative interpretations can create uncertainty.
Barriers to OperationsNGOs face registration, reporting and supervisory requirements.
Court decisions have limited provisions permitting automatic cancellation, but threats, stigmatization, criminalization and violence continue to interfere with civil society activities.
Barriers to ResourcesCSOs may receive domestic and foreign funding, subject to applicable reporting and tax requirements.
The AML/CFT framework requires additional financial due diligence involving nonprofits, which may complicate access to banking services and transfers.
Barriers to ExpressionConstitutional protections coexist with threats, attacks, self-censorship and the misuse of criminal proceedings against journalists and other critics.
Barriers to AssemblyPrior notification generally suffices for peaceful assemblies.
Road-blocking restrictions and the risk of criminalization can impede protests.

This section provides a brief overview of Guatemala’s legal framework for the promotion and protection of civic freedoms. Click a subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

This section provides an in-depth assessment of Guatemala’’s legal environment for civic freedoms, including the barriers to the exercise of the freedoms of association (formation, operations, resources), expression, and peaceful assembly. Click a subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

ORGANIZATIONAL FORMS

Civil society organizations (CSOs) in Guatemala most commonly take one of three legal forms: associations, foundations, or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Each is regulated under different legal provisions.

  • Associations are governed by Article 15 of the Civil Code. They are not-for-profit entities formed to advance political, social, cultural, professional, religious, or other common interests. Trusts and committees created for social or public benefit are also treated as associations.
  • Foundations, regulated under Article 20 of the Civil Code, are created through a public deed or testament. They must be established with a dedicated set of assets and a defined purpose. The Public Prosecutor’s Office oversees foundations to ensure that assets are used in accordance with the founder’s intent.
  • Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are defined in the Law of Non-Governmental Organizations for Development (Decree 02-2003, known as the NGO-D Law) and the reforms contained in Congressional Decree 4-2020 (Ley de Organizaciones No Gubernamentales para el Desarrollo). NGOs are non-profit entities dedicated to cultural, educational, sports, social, charitable, or development-related purposes. Article 12 of the law allows foreign non-profit entities to validate their incorporation in the Guatemalan legal system.

    Other CSO legal forms recognized in Guatemalan law include:
  • civil society organizations (a non-profit professional entity governed by the Civil Code);
  • committees for recreational or social welfare projects at the local level;
  • boards of trustees (patronatos);
  • professional associations (colegios profesionales);
  • labor unions;
  • neighborhood associations;
  • community development associations;
  • indigenous communities;
  • Municipal Development Councils and Community Development Councils;
  • Educational Committees;
  • School Boards (Juntas Escolares), and
  • political associations (asociaciones políticas) for the dissemination and study of electoral matters.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATUS

Guatemalan law provides several tax benefits for not-for-profit entities. Under the Tax Law (Decree 10-2012, Article 11), organizations are exempt from income tax if they pursue purposes of “welfare, charity, beneficence, education and instruction, science, literature, arts, political, professional, unions, sports, religious, culture or development of Indigenous communities and those of culture.” This exemption applies only to income used for these purposes and not distributed to members, either directly or indirectly. Revenue generated through economic activities, such as commerce, agriculture, financing, or services, is taxable and must be reported in annual tax filings.

To be certified as “tax-exempt,” an organization must:

  1. Have a constitution notarized as a public deed;
  2. Be registered with the Registry of Legal Entities;
  3. Be registered with the Tax Administration Agency (Superintendencia de Administración Tributaria or SAT);
  4. Meet the minimum membership requirements for its organizational type; and
  5. Have a not-for-profit purpose.

To receive tax-deductible donations, an association, foundation, or other eligible entity must be duly constituted and registered as a tax-exempt organization with the SAT. Once the organization is registered with the SAT, it receives a “Resolution” confirming its tax-exempt status (Tax Law Regulations, Article 31). Local partners report that the Resolution is generally granted within one week.

The Value Added Tax (Decree 27-92, Ley del Impuesto al Valor Agregado) designates associations, foundations, and educational, cultural, social, and religious entities that are legally registered as exempt from VAT. It also exempts membership fees paid to associations, social, professional, cultural, scientific, educational, and sports institutions, as well as professional associations and political parties, from taxation (Articles 7, 9 and 10).

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

The 1996 Peace Accords helped establish forums for dialogue, consultation and policy development involving government and civil society. Guatemalan legislation provides for civil society participation in councils and working groups responsible for developing or monitoring public policies.

Several constitutional provisions support participation. Article 30 establishes the public character of administrative acts and permits interested persons to request reports, copies and certifications. Article 98 provides for community participation in the planning, implementation and evaluation of health programs. Articles 173 and 280 provide for popular consultation on matters of special significance and constitutional reforms, respectively.

The Law on Urban and Rural Development Councils provides channels for citizen participation in development planning. Article 26 addresses consultation with Indigenous peoples pending the adoption of specific implementing legislation. The absence of a dedicated consultation law does not eliminate Guatemala’s obligations concerning Indigenous consultation under ILO Convention No. 169. Nevertheless, the IACHR’s 2025 country report identified continuing failures to implement free, prior and informed consultation in extractive, energy and infrastructure projects.

Participation is also constrained by the risk of retaliation. The IACHR has documented the use of criminal proceedings against people perceived as challenging influential political and economic interests. Such practices affect journalists, justice officials, human rights defenders and Indigenous and community authorities, and can discourage participation even where formal consultation mechanisms exist.

During 2026, civil society monitored appointments to key institutions and advocated for transparent procedures and independent officials. The change in leadership of the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the September closure of proceedings against five Indigenous authorities involved in the 2023 demonstrations provided important openings. However, individual case outcomes do not establish that the wider risk of criminalization has ended.

Participation concerning land, natural resources and university governance

Indigenous and environmental defenders face particular obstacles when challenging projects affecting their territories. UDEFEGUA’s 2025 report recorded 12 killings of human rights defenders, nine of whom defended land and the environment. These risks undermine communities’ ability to participate freely in decisions affecting land and natural resources.

The 2026 rector selection process at the University of San Carlos also generated concerns about participation and institutional independence. Students opposing the rector’s reelection reportedly faced harassment and administrative retaliation, including the disappearance of academic records. These allegations illustrate how reprisals can restrict participation within public institutions as well as in national political processes.

BARRIERS TO FORMATION

The Registry of Legal Entities (REPEJU) registers associations, foundations, NGOs and other categories of civil society organizations under the applicable legislation. Inconsistent registration criteria and restrictive interpretations have created uncertainty, although reports of these barriers decreased in 2026.

Other organizational forms—including cooperatives, development councils, trade unions and political parties—register with the authorities designated by their respective laws. Registration procedures and documentation therefore depend on the legal form selected.

Registration generally requires a notarized public deed and supporting documents. Minimum membership requirements also vary:

  • NGOs require at least seven founding members.
  • Associations require one member more than the number serving on their board of directors.
  • Foundations may be established by at least two natural or legal persons.
  • Trade unions and cooperatives generally require at least 20 founding members.

The NGO-D Law limits foreign membership in NGOs to no more than 25 percent of members, who must reside in Guatemala. Associations are not subject to this particular restriction.

Foreign NGOs must obtain recognition from the Ministry of the Interior before registration through REPEJU. Documentation includes authenticated founding documents and the organization’s decision to establish a presence in Guatemala and appoint a representative. The Ministry issues a resolution recognizing the organization’s legal status, which REPEJU registers.

Implementation of the Law on the Simplification of Administrative Requirements and Procedures, Decree 5-2021, and the digitization of REPEJU procedures have reportedly shortened some registration processes. These administrative improvements do not remove the underlying differences in requirements between organizational forms.

BARRIERS TO OPERATIONS

Regulatory requirements and supervision

Decree 4-2020 amended the NGO-D Law by introducing additional registration, record-updating and operational requirements. NGOs remain subject to oversight by REPEJU and the Ministry of the Interior under the applicable legislation. Organizations receiving foreign donations must comply with reporting requirements concerning the funds received and their use.

The reforms have been subject to constitutional litigation. In 2021, the Constitutional Court provisionally suspended several provisions concerning control, registration and cancellation. In case 3434-2022, decided in January 2023, the Court upheld a challenge to the provision requiring automatic cancellation and dissolution for failure to update information within the prescribed period. The automatic-cancellation provision should therefore not be described as an unrestricted current power.

Anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing oversight

Decree 15-2026 entered into force on September 17, 2026, replacing the previous AML/CFT legislation. Nonprofits are not designated as reporting entities solely because they are nonprofits. However, organizations conducting activities covered by Article 3 may fall within the reporting regime, and Article 4 permits additional activities to be designated through a specified administrative process.

Article 25 requires banks and other reporting entities to apply additional customer due diligence to private nonprofit legal entities and to nonprofits receiving or administering state or foreign funds. These requirements can affect organizations’ banking relationships even where the organizations themselves are not reporting entities.

Dissolution and suspension

Under the NGO-D Law, an organization may dissolve when it can no longer pursue its statutory purposes, by a qualifying decision of its extraordinary general assembly, or pursuant to law or a competent court’s decision. Provisions introduced by Decree 4-2020 concerning public order and administrative compliance must be read together with the Constitutional Court’s decisions limiting cancellation powers.

Separate legislation also permits measures against legal entities during criminal investigations. The use of such powers creates particular concerns where proceedings target legitimate advocacy or civic participation.

Harassment and attacks

Legal compliance is not the only obstacle to civil society operations. Human rights defenders face stigmatization, threats, criminal proceedings and violence. UDEFEGUA recorded 5,238 attacks in 2025, including 12 killings. Its findings show that a more receptive executive branch has not eliminated risks arising from other institutions and influential actors.

The Public Policy for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala 2025–2035 seeks to improve prevention, protection and institutional coordination. Its practical contribution will depend on implementation and the availability of effective protection and remedies for people at risk.

BARRIERS TO RESOURCES

Foreign funding

CSOs may receive foreign funding, but receipt and use of these resources remain subject to applicable reporting, tax and financial-control requirements. NGOs receiving foreign donations must report them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and organizations must comply with relevant Tax Administration Agency requirements.

The financial controls described under Barriers to Operations also affect access to resources. Additional customer due diligence involving nonprofits may require organizations to provide further information to banks concerning their activities, representatives and funding. The application of these requirements can affect the processing of transfers and maintenance of banking relationships.

Changes in donor priorities and funding availability have also affected organizations’ ability to sustain their work.

Government funding

National and municipal authorities may contract legally constituted NGOs and associations to implement programs and projects, subject to public finance and procurement requirements.

Congress may also approve direct contributions to NGOs and foundations through the annual state budget. The Finance and Treasury Commission consults organizations about their needs, but that there are no predefined selection criteria. According to Ministry of Finance statistics, 89 CSOs received more than US$234 million in 2025, principally for health, education and social-development services.

Public funds received by NGOs, foundations and legally constituted associations are subject to oversight by the Comptroller General of Accounts.

BARRIERS TO EXPRESSION

Article 35 of Guatemala’s Constitution protects freedom of expression without censorship or prior permission. It also provides specific protections for criticism of public officials concerning the performance of their duties. These constitutional guarantees coexist with threats, violence, self-censorship and the misuse of criminal proceedings against journalists and other critics.

The IACHR’s 2025 country report documented unjustified criminal proceedings against people exercising freedom of expression, including those reporting on matters of public interest. The Commission also identified risks affecting community and Indigenous journalists. Threats from officials, criminal organizations and other influential actors can deter reporting on corruption, human rights violations and local conflicts.

The case of José Rubén Zamora, founder of elPeriódico, illustrates these concerns. Arrested in July 2022, he faced prolonged detention and multiple criminal proceedings, while legal and financial pressure contributed to the newspaper’s closure. In July 2026, the Constitutional Court accepted prosecutors’ withdrawal of an appeal against a decision restoring his alternative measures. On October 6, the Court accepted the withdrawal of a second appeal. Zamora remained under house arrest as of October and was still subject to proceedings, as the decisions did not lead to an acquittal or closure of all cases.

Violence against journalists also persists. The August 1, 2026 killing of journalist Emerson Dinael Colindres prompted condemnation from the IACHR’s Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression and calls for an effective investigation and stronger protection for the press.

Risks also extend to lawyers defending journalists. On October 17, 2026, anti-corruption lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, who had represented José Rubén Zamora, was also shot and killed in Guatemala City. During the previous Attorney General’s tenure, he had also been detained in connection with his defense of Zamora. His killing heightened concerns about the safety of lawyers defending journalists and others targeted by criminal proceedings.

Exile remains another consequence of persecution. In September 2026, Reporters Without Borders and nine other organizations called for safeguards enabling exiled journalists to return safely and preventing further criminalization. Guatemala ranked 128th of 180 countries in RSF’s 2026 World Press Freedom Index.

BARRIERS TO ASSEMBLY

Article 33 of Guatemala’s Constitution guarantees peaceful assembly and demonstration without weapons. It provides that prior notification to the competent authority is sufficient and permits regulation for the purpose of preserving public order.

In practice, organizers generally notify the relevant departmental authority, such as the governor’s office or local police. Although procedures are not comprehensively prescribed, notifications typically identify the organizers, provide contact details, and specify the event’s date, time, location or planned route.

Restrictions on road-blocking can affect demonstrations. The Law for the Circulation by Roads Free of Any Type of Obstacles permits the General Directorate of Roads to request police assistance to remove obstacles and provides fines for blocking roads. Constitutional Court orders concerning unobstructed circulation have also affected the conduct of protests. These measures raise concerns where their application unnecessarily restricts peaceful assembly.

Criminal proceedings against Indigenous authorities following the 2023 demonstrations to defend the election results and oppose efforts to prevent President-elect Bernardo Arévalo from taking office revealed the risks facing protest organizers. In September 2026, proceedings were closed against Luis Pacheco, Héctor Chaclán, Basilio Puac, Esteban Toc and María Juana Elías. The first four cases were closed on September 11, followed by the case against Elías on September 25. On October 7, 2026, the government publicly apologized to the authorities and their organizations for their criminalization. The closures and apology represent important developments, but the earlier prosecutions show how criminal proceedings can discourage peaceful protest and Indigenous participation.

Additional Resources

This section contains links to external reports and news reports relevant to civic freedoms. The Historical Notes section contains links to past developments which ICNL has reported on. Click a subheading for more, or click here to expand all subheadings.

GLOBAL INDEX RANKINGS
Ranking BodyRankRanking Scale
(best – worst possible)
UN Human Development Index137 (2023)1 – 193
World Justice Project Rule of Law Index110 (2025)1 – 143
Transparency International142 (2025)1 – 182
Fund for Peace Fragile States Index65 (2024)179 – 1
Freedom House: Freedom in the WorldStatus: Partly Free 
Political Rights: 19 
Civil Liberties: 29 (2026)		Free/Partly Free/Not Free
40 – 0
60 – 0
REPORTS
UN Universal Periodic Review ReportsGuatemala UPR page
UN Human Rights Reports• Guatemala OHCHR page
• Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on Education (2008)
• Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples on her visit to Guatemala (2018)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsHuman rights situation in Guatemala (2025)
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
Report on Guatemala (2025)

UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers		Visit to Guatemala (2025)
Council on Foundations Country NotesGuatemala country note
U.S. State DepartmentGuatemala Human Rights Report (2024)
Fund for Peace Fragile States Index ReportsGuatemala
IMF Country ReportsGuatemala and the IMF
International Commission of JuristsGuatemala archives
Human Rights WatchWorld Report: Guatemala (2025)
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law Online LibraryGuatemala
NEWS

Killing of former anti-graft prosecutor a grim milestone in Guatemala’s political violence (October 2026)
The assassination of anti-graft lawyer Juan Francisco Solorzano Foppa, who made powerful enemies by taking on Guatemala’s elite, marks one ​of the most significant political killings in the country in recent decades, renewing concerns about the vulnerability of those who fight corruption in ‌Central America. Family, friends and supporters held a wake for Solorzano, two days after he was shot dead by two assailants at a Guatemala City sports center.

Government apologizes to Indigenous authorities prosecuted for defending democracy (October 2026)
The President, Vice President and government cabinet publicly apologized to five Indigenous authorities prosecuted following the 2023 demonstrations defending the election results. The apology followed the closure of proceedings in September.

Constitutional Court upholds José Rubén Zamora’s alternative measures (October 2026)
The Constitutional Court upheld José Rubén Zamora’s house arrest after the Public Prosecutor’s Office withdrew a second appeal seeking his return to prison. The appeal concerned proceedings alleging conspiracy to obstruct justice and the continued use of falsified documents, and the Court specified that the withdrawn appeal could not be renewed. Zamora remains subject to two criminal proceedings, including one awaiting a retrial, so the decision did not resolve the underlying charges.

RSF and nine organizations call for safeguards for exiled journalists’ return (September 2026)
Reporters Without Borders and nine other organizations urged Guatemalan authorities to turn President Arévalo’s commitment to support exiled journalists into concrete protections. Their seven recommendations include reviewing criminal proceedings against journalists, establishing a verifiable process for safe return, and strengthening investigations into attacks on the press. They also called for a dedicated support mechanism for journalists in exile and safeguards to prevent further persecution and forced exile.

Guatemala Students Occupy Campus Amid Rector Vote Crisis (June 2026)
Students gathered at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala (Usac) this week as tensions escalated around the institution’s rector election, a process repeatedly challenged since 2022. According to local reports, students from the faculties of Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics staged a protest on Tuesday in Zone 12. Participants stated they were attacked by unidentified individuals during the demonstration. The unrest unfolds within a broader dispute over the rector election system, in which each electoral body casts a single vote. This mechanism does not involve a mass vote, but rather a closed structure where the number of accredited bodies determines the outcome.

New anti-money laundering law adds pressure to projects in Guatemala (June 2026)
The Guatemalan government published the Comprehensive Law for the Prevention and Repression of Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism on June 17. It will take effect on September 17 and will require companies to disclose information that has historically remained within the private corporate sphere, including shareholding structures, beneficial owners, and changes in corporate control. It will also increase due diligence processes applied by banks, insurance companies, and other entities involved in key operations for the development of electrical infrastructure. One of the most relevant changes is related to the identification of the ultimate beneficial owner, a concept that aims to determine who really exercises control of a company, even when there are intermediary companies, holdings, trusts or investment funds.

Chair of Transparency International visits imprisoned Guatemalan anti-corruption activist (June 2025)
Transparency International Chair François Valérian visited imprisoned Guatemalan journalist and anti-corruption advocate José Rubén Zamora, in a powerful gesture of solidarity at a time of intensifying threats to civil society in Guatemala and the wider region. He was joined by Manfredo Marroquín, founder of Acción Ciudadana, Transparency International’s chapter in Guatemala, which continues to play a vital role in defending democratic space and fighting corruption in the country.

Civil society groups demand due process in Guatemala journalist detention review (October 2024)
Nineteen international civil society organizations issued a statement demanding due process guarantees at a key hearing for Guatemalan journalist Jose Rubén Zamora. The organizations, including Amnesty International, Article 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists, expressed deep concern over reports of human rights violations and threats to judicial independence in Zamora’s case. The civil society groups further highlighted that the substitute judge appointed to preside over a hearing has faced stigmatization on social media and a criminal complaint, which they view as attempts to exert undue pressure.

Will Guatemala’s new reformist president get a veteran muckraker out of jail? (January 2024)
In the summer of 2022, a unit of armed police officers in Guatemala raided the home of José Rubén Zamora, the founder of the independent newspaper elPeriódico , and arrested him on suspicion of money laundering and associated crimes while his grandchildren hid in a closet…. But the case looked cobbled together from the start, and many observers instantly suspected that it was politically motivated. Zamora had been a thorn on the side of the administration of President Alejandro Giammattei…. Already, there are signs of a change in the Guatemalan government’s approach to Zamora’s case. But resolving it—not to mention improving conditions for Guatemala’s other independent journalists—remains a highly complicated task.

UN raises alarm on attempts to annul Guatemala’s general election results (December 2023)
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights deplored “persistent and systematic” attempts to undermine the outcome of Guatemala’s elections and called for the will of voters to be upheld, after public prosecutors moved to overturn President-elect Bernardo Arevalo’s victory. Prosecutors have threatened to annul the victory of Arevalo, who is set to take office on January 14.

Police begin clearing protesters’ roadblocks after president threatens a crackdown (October 2023)
Riot police began efforts to clear roadblocks by protesters who have paralyzed parts of Guatemala for more than a week, just hours after President Alejandro Giammattei vowed to clear the country’s roadways. More than 120 roadblocks have snarled traffic and disrupted commerce as thousands of farmers and members of Indigenous communities demand the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Porras and express their support for incoming progressive President-elect Bernardo Arévalo. Porras’ office has multiple open investigations related to August’s presidential elections and has successfully sought the suspension of Arévalo’s party — moves that the protesters denounce as attempts to thwart the incoming leader before he takes office in January.

Guatemala court suspends opposition party, casting doubt over presidential run-off vote (July 2023)
A Guatemalan court has suspended the party of one of the candidates in next month’s presidential run-off election, raising questions over the vote. In a video posted on the Twitter account of the Guatemalan Public Ministry, Rafael Curruchich, the head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI), said they are investigating Movimiento Semilla for allegedly falsifying citizens signatures. Movimiento Semilla is the party of opposition candidate Bernardo Arévalo.

Guatemala election run-off: Chaos after key party suspended (July 2023)
Guatemala’s troubled presidential election was thrown into even greater turmoil when the country’s top electoral tribunal confirmed the results of the June 25 vote while the attorney general’s office announced that the second-place Seed Movement party had been suspended. The seemingly contradictory moves fed more than two weeks of rising tensions and suspicions after the first round of voting, which had apparently sent conservative Sandra Torres and progressive Bernardo Arevalo, who leads the Seed Movement, into an August 20 presidential run-off.

Respect Election Results (July 2023)
Guatemalan authorities should respect the results of elections held on June 25, 2023. Concerned governments, including from Latin America, should urge the government and other authorities to ensure democratic values and respect the will of Guatemalans expressed at the polls.

Outrage in Guatemala as crusading journalist given six-year prison term (June 2023)
A veteran journalist and founder of one of Guatemala’s oldest newspapers has been sentenced to six years in prison for money laundering, in a case widely condemned as politically motivated. José Rubén Zamora, 66, was convicted by a three-judge panel in Guatemala City, who ruled that there was “no doubt” the outspoken critic of government corruption masterminded the laundering of almost $40,000 in 2022. The court acquitted Zamora of blackmail and peddling influence charges.

Guatemala Election Campaigning begins Amid Public Distrust (April 2023)
Campaigning began last month for Guatemala’s general elections, with political messaging filling the streets, local broadcasts and social media. But less than three months before the June 25 vote, concerns are mounting among national and international observers over the integrity of the process.

Guatemalan Rights Defenders Challenge Ban from Presidential Ballot (February 2023)
In Guatemala, indigenous human rights defender and presidential hopeful Thelma Cabrera has vowed to fight the decision by Guatemala’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal to block her and her running mate, former human rights ombudsman Jordán Rodas, from the ballot in this year’s presidential elections. Cabrera and Rodas, who are members of the leftist political party, the Movement for the Liberation of the Peoples, were in Washington, DC to meet with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights following their ban from the elections.

Deputies Confront Bill that Contemplates the Creation of a New Ministry (January 2023) (Spanish)
The presentation in the plenary of the Congress of decree 6145 led to discussion between deputies on the viability of this law and allegations of its unconstitutionality and violations of human rights if it were to go into effect.

CSOs Welcome US House of Representatives Resolution (November 2022) (Spanish)
CSOs welcomed the US House of Representatives resolution to restore the rule of law in Guatemala. The resolution urges the US Government to increase its efforts to demonstrate to Guatemala’s corrupt officials and business elites that their systematic attempts to undermine the rule of law will have consequences.

Civil Society Concerned about Voting Legitimacy (November 2022) (Spanish)
According to CSOs and former electoral authorities, in the next elections votes could be lost if the way in which the data is entered is not modified. This could threaten electoral legitimacy.

ARCHIVED NEWS

Under Giammattei’s Government There Have Been 350 Attacks on the Press (July 2022) (Spanish)

Deputies Seek to Authorize Alternative Measures for Police and Soldiers Who Use Force (June 2022) (Spanish)

Young People Reject Law for the Protection of Life and Family for Limiting Rights (March 2022) (Spanish)

Guatemala’s Top Court Backs Controversial NGO Law (May 2021)

Attack on Top Court Threatens Constitutional Crisis (July 2020)

New Law Threatens NGOs’ Work (February 2020)

Government takes advantage of the state of siege to attack Human Rights (September 2019) (Spanish)

President of the Congress, Alvaro Arzú Jr, talks about the NGO law (June 2019)

UN Special Rapporteur Freedom of Association Clement Voule criticized Bill 5527 (March 2019)

European Parliament denounces violations of human rights and shows support for CICIG and NGO defenders (March 2019)

Termination of CICIG is latest blow to the fight against impunity (January 2019)

IACHR Expresses Alarm over the Increase in Murders of Human Rights Defenders in Guatemala (October 2018)

The Congress denounces Acción Ciudadana (June 2018) (Spanish) 

The UN asks Guatemala to investigate the murders of three human rights defenders (May 2018) (Spanish)

Mayan Community Protests Illegal Miners (February 2018)

HISTORICAL NOTES

Background Since the Civil War

Guatemala endured a 36-year civil war that formally ended with the signing of the Peace Accords in 1996. The Truth Commission documented widespread human rights violations, including massacres, disappearances, torture and killings, and estimated that approximately 200,000 people were killed or disappeared during the conflict.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) were among those targeted. From the early 1960s, authoritarian governments frequently treated civic organizations as internal threats, exposing their members to repression and violence. These experiences shaped the sector’s subsequent emphasis on human rights, accountability and access to justice.

The adoption of a new Constitution in 1985 and the restoration of presidential elections opened space for civil society to recover. The 1996 Peace Accords subsequently created further opportunities for participation and institutional reform. Efforts to address entrenched impunity later included the establishment of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) through an agreement between the United Nations and the Guatemalan government.

CICIG played an important role in investigating clandestine security structures and corruption, including cases involving former President Otto Pérez Molina. Its mandate ended in 2019 after President Jimmy Morales opposed its continuation. Its departure intensified concerns about the influence of illicit networks within state institutions, impunity in corruption and transitional justice cases, and the use of criminal proceedings against opposition figures and civic actors.

These institutional challenges coexist with poverty, food insecurity, limited economic opportunities, organized crime and gang violence. Indigenous peoples, women and children face particular obstacles to accessing justice, while human rights defenders, journalists and public officials investigating crime and corruption frequently encounter threats and attacks.

Restrictions on Peaceful Assembly Since 2014

Against this background, restrictions on demonstrations have remained a recurring concern. In 2014, Congress enacted the Law for the Circulation by Roads Free of Any Type of Obstacles (Ley para la Circulación por Carreteras Libre de cualquier Tipo de Obstáculos). The law authorizes the General Directorate of Roads to request assistance from the National Civil Police to remove roadway obstacles and establishes fines of GTQ 1,000–5,000 for obstructing roads.

Despite these restrictions, public demonstrations continued to influence national politics. In 2015, civic groups demonstrated for 22 consecutive weeks in Guatemala City’s Plaza de la Constitución, demanding the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina and Vice President Roxana Baldetti. The mobilizations reinforced the square’s importance as a site of civic participation.

Subsequent government measures raised concerns about restrictions on these activities. In September 2016, the government issued a 15-day emergency decree granting authorities broad powers to dissolve groups, meetings and demonstrations and restrict media activity deemed to contribute to public disorder. Following criticism from civil society, the President of Congress and the Human Rights Ombudsman, the decree was rescinded two days later. CALAS and the National Unity of Hope party subsequently challenged the decree on constitutional grounds, but the case was dismissed.

Concerns also extended to the policing of demonstrations. In January 2018, police and military personnel used tear gas against protesters awaiting then-President Jimmy Morales’s presentation of the government’s second annual report.

During President Alejandro Giammattei’s administration, access to symbolic protest spaces became another source of controversy. In 2021, the government placed a COVID-19 vaccination post in front of the Plaza de la Constitución, which some observers interpreted as an effort, at least in part, to deter demonstrations. In March 2022, law-enforcement authorities closed streets surrounding the National Palace during the first official celebration of “Family Day,” preventing demonstrations in the area.

Political Participation Following the 2023 Elections

Disputes over political participation intensified following the 2023 elections. Proceedings against Movimiento Semilla, the party through which Bernardo Arévalo won the presidency, raised concerns about freedom of association and respect for the election results. Indigenous authorities and other civic actors organized demonstrations opposing attempts to undermine the electoral outcome and prevent Arévalo from taking office.

In 2024, a court ordered the cancellation of Semilla’s legal status. That year, Congress also amended Article 82 of the Law Against Organized Crime to prevent criminal-court suspension powers from being applied to political parties. The amendment did not extend the same protection to other legal entities, leaving concerns about the potential use of suspension powers against CSOs.

Emergency Measures and Institutional Renewal in 2026

Security concerns brought renewed restrictions at the beginning of 2026. On January 18, following coordinated gang attacks that killed several police officers, the President declared a 30-day state of siege. The measure temporarily restricted certain constitutional rights.

Alongside these security measures, Guatemala undertook selection processes for several key institutions during the first half of 2026, including the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Constitutional Court, Attorney General and rector of the University of San Carlos, the country’s only public university. Civil society organizations and international observers monitored the processes and advocated for transparent procedures and qualified, independent officials.

These appointments were consequential for judicial independence, accountability and preparations for the general elections scheduled for 2027 and 2031. The selection of the Attorney General attracted particular attention because of the Public Prosecutor’s Office’s role in proceedings against journalists, justice officials, human rights defenders and government officials. Missions from the Organization of American States and the European Union, together with civil society initiatives and independent experts, observed the processes and issued recommendations.

The outcomes presented a mixed picture. The change in prosecutorial leadership in May 2026 created opportunities to review cases associated with criminalization. By contrast, the university rector’s reelection generated protests and allegations of retaliation against dissenting students, underscoring continuing obstacles to participation and institutional independence.