Truthout
Guatemala
![A boy and a girl step out of the Lempa River in El Salvador. The Lempa is the country’s largest river.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/05/LempaRiver_Kids4_LoveThis-400x300.jpg)
US-Backed Canadian Mine in Guatemala Threatens Water Supply for Millions
Activists vow to fight the Cerro Blanco mine, which threatens a water supply for millions in Guatemala and El Salvador.
![Bernardo Arévalo (right), new president of Guatemala, and Karin Herrera, new vice president of Guatemala, wave after their inauguration at the National Palace, on January 15, 2024.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/01/2024_0115-guatemala-400x300.jpg)
Arévalo Sworn In as Guatemala’s President After Delay by Right-Wing Opposition
The delay sparked fury in the streets, mobilizing Indigenous groups and the country's youth.
![Indigenous Maya Ixil authorities lead thousands of people marching for democracy in Guatemala City.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2024/01/Ixil-400x300.jpg)
Indigenous Leaders in Guatemala Are Camping Out to Prevent Post-Election Coup
Leaders from Indigenous governance structures have energized a movement to ensure the presidential transition happens.
![Esteban Toc, an Indigenous governance authority from Sololá, speaks at a march of Indigenous leaders on September 18 in Guatemala City.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/10/Toc-400x300.jpg)
Guatemalan Protests Shut Down Country’s Highways to Defend Democracy
Guatemalans have set up more than 120 protest blockades around the country as a post-electoral crisis deepens.
![Guatemalans take part in an August 25 protest in Guatemala City to call for the attorney general's resignation due to election interference.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/09/4-400x300.jpg)
Facing Electoral Defeat, Guatemala’s Ruling Elites Undermine Nation’s Democracy
Efforts to undermine the president-elect are taking a toll on his party and on Guatemalans standing up for democracy.
![Guatemalan presidential candidate for the Semilla party, Bernardo Arévalo, delivers a speech during the closing of his campaign at Central Square in Guatemala City on August 16, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/08/2023_0825-guatemala-400x300.jpg)
Guatemalans Voted to End 69 Years of Corrupt Rule. Will US, Canada Accept It?
To understand Guatemala's challenges going forward, we must ask questions about the role of the international community.
![Guatemalan president-elect for the Movimiento Semilla party, Bernardo Arevalo (R), speaks to supporters next to his running mate, Karin Herrera, during a demonstration outside the Attorney General's Office headquarters in Guatemala City, on July 13, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/08/2023_0821-Arevalo-400x300.jpg)
Anti-Corruption Advocate Bernardo Arévalo Wins Presidency in Guatemala
The question now is whether Arévalo will be permitted to take office in January 2024.
![Presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo and running mate Karin Herrera (not seen) hold the closing campaign of Movimiento Semilla ahead of the general election, at the central square in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on August 16, 2023.](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/08/2023_0817-guatemala-400x300.jpg)
US, Canada-Backed Guatemalan Elites Threaten Coup Amid Opposition Party Runoff
Will Guatemalans be allowed to vote for a government that is actually democratic for the first time since 1954?
![Poster image for the film El Silencio Del Topo (2021).](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/04/2023_0417-silencio-del-topo-400x300.jpg)
Documentary Follows Guatemalan Journalist Who Went Undercover to Expose Genocide
More than 200,000 Guatemalans would be killed or disappeared by the administration in power.
![Indigenous Leader Is Barred From Running in Guatemala’s Presidential Election](https://truthout.org/app/uploads/2023/03/seg3-Guatemala-400x300.jpg)
Indigenous Leader Is Barred From Running in Guatemala’s Presidential Election
The Guatemalan Constitutional Court upheld a decision to bar human rights defender Thelma Cabrera from running.