Guatemala Country Report
Overview
Executive Summary
President Jimmy Morales took office in January 2016 on an anti-corruption platform. His popularity has since waned and allegations over irregular election campaign financing continue to disrupt his mandate. The resulting social unrest may lead to widespread traffic disruptions but are largely peaceful. Similarly, labour disputes like that of November 2016 in the cargo transportation sector, can result in disruptions at national ports and border-crossings causing national losses up to USD500 million. Morales has implemented an aggressive tax collection policy that allowed the government to take temporary control of companies until issues are resolved.
Operational Outlook
Guatemala has been pursuing anti-corruption and tax evasion investigations with international support, which has affected all business sectors. Contracts awarded during the previous administration are at greatest risk of judicial investigation, contract alteration, and fines. Legal contract enforcement is complicated by a weak judiciary. Mining sector concessions are also at risk of suspension over environmental and community consultation compliance issues. Protests against resource extraction and development continue increase installation damage risks. The regulatory burden and business start-up framework have improved since 2014, when registration procedures were consolidated online.
Terrorism
There are no known terrorist groups operating in Guatemala. However, criminal groups, including transnational criminal organisations and street gangs conduct targeted assassinations and use grenades to target business infrastructure as extortion payment enforcement measures. Such actions are typically economically rather than politically motivated. Some former members of Guatemala's intelligence and security establishments accused of terrorism during the country's 36-year civil war have since instigated crime and corruption rings that reach the highest levels of government, but these are unlikely to significantly threaten government stability through terrorist activities.
War Risks
The threat of war in Guatemala remains low despite several incidents on the border with Belize. Hotspots include the Sarstoon River delta and Chiquibul National Park. The border issue is likely to be resolved diplomatically, most likely with a referral to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has been addressing aspects of the territorial claims since 2008. Guatemala is also unlikely to see a return of internal conflict after a 36-year civil war was resolved in 1996. Most of the rebel groups involved in the conflict have disbanded or joined formal political processes.
Social Stability
Guatemala faces frequent social unrest with the power to disrupt transportation, frustrate commercial projects, and destabilise the government. Anti-corruption protests like those in 2017 can attract tens of thousands of protesters and previously have provoked government change in 2015. Labour strikes have significant power to influence policy developments like the cargo transport strike in October-November 2016 that generated losses worth USD456 million over a change to circulation schedules in Guatemala City. Community activism in opposition of resource development projects is also strong, particularly in Guatemala's north-east, sometimes resulting in localised property damages.
Health Risk
Vaccinations required to enter the country
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required if traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission and over one year of age.
Routine Vaccinations
Hepatitis A: A vaccine is available for anyone over one year of age. The vaccine may not be effective for certain people, e.g. those born before 1945 and who lived as a child in a developing country and/or have a past history of jaundice (icterus). These people can instead get a shot of immune globulin (IG) to boost their immunity against the disease.
Hepatitis B: A vaccine is available for children at least two months old.
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio: A booster shot should be administered if necessary (once every ten years).
Other Vaccinations
Typhoid Fever: If your travels take you to regions with poor sanitary conditions (for children two years old and up).
Rabies: For prolonged stays in an isolated region (for children from when they can walk).
Malaria: Recommended preventive medication - chloroquine (sometimes marketed as Nivaquine).
For Children: All standard childhood immunizations should be up-to-date. In the case of a long stay, the BCG vaccine is recommended for children over one month and the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine for children over nine months.
Natural Risks
Guatemala is highly vulnerable to natural disasters.
Powerful earthquakes regularly strike the country. In 1976, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale left 26,000 dead and devastated parts of the country. More recently, an 8.2-magnitude offshore earthquake struck the region in September 2017, resulting in damages in the southwestern department of San Marcos.
Offshore earthquakes can trigger tsunamis. If in a coastal area when an earthquake strikes, immediately look to see if a tsunami alert has been issued (either by the government or the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center). If in doubt, move inland following tsunami evacuation routes if designated and/or seek higher ground.
The country is also home to a number of active volcanoes, including the Fuego, Pacaya, and Santiaguito volcanoes. Eruptions have been known to result in flight disruptions, including at Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport (GUA).
Guatemala is vulnerable to hurricanes, tropical storms, and tropical storm remnants coming from both the Pacific and Caribbean. The Pacific hurricane season officially runs from May 15 to November 30, and the Atlantic hurricane season from June 1 to November 30. In June 2014, Tropical Storm Boris caused flooding and property damage, along with five deaths.
Torrential rains can lead to deadly flooding and landslides, particularly during the rainy season (May/June to November). Some 300 people were killed in a landslide that buried the village of El Cambray Dos (15 km [10 mi] east of the capital) in October 2015; another 12 people died in a landslide in San Pedro Soloma in June 2017. Furthermore, severe flooding in September/October 2017 left at least 26 people dead and hundreds of thousands of people affected; numerous roads and bridges were blocked by the floodwaters.
Forest fires are common during the dry season.
Transportation
Driving conditions are dangerous due to poorly maintained roads, lack of lighting, and unsafe driving habits; fatal accidents are common. Additionally, accidents or general road rage have been known to lead to violent confrontations.
There are also significant risks on roads and highways due to the presence of criminal elements, notably in rural areas. Attacks and other criminal activities along highways in rural areas, notably in border regions (e.g. Petén department), due to the presence of arms, human, and drug traffickers. Criminals sometimes erect roadblocks to force cars to stop before their occupants are robbed or assaulted, including during the day.
Driving at night outside of cities should be avoided whenever possible and travel in groups of two or more vehicles is recommended. In cities, always drive with windows rolled up, doors locked, and valuable items stored out of sight; when in heavy traffic, leave room to maneuver between you and the car ahead.
Crime and accident rates are high on public transportation, notably municipal buses in the capital, as well as on intercity buses. Bus drivers and passengers may also be attacked by gang members in the context of extortion rackets and thus most buses should be avoided. Transmetro buses can be considered relatively safe.
Never hail a taxi off the street and only use official companies (e.g. Taxi Amarillo and Taxi Seguro), called in advance. Unlicensed taxi drivers have been known to rob or assault their passengers.
Note that crime rates tend to be particularly high around airports.
Infrastructure
The Central American countries' electricity grids are connected by a single 1820-km (1130-mi) electricity line, making them particularly susceptible to power outages. There were seven blackouts that have affected all of Central America between 2010 and 2017.
Practical Information
Climate
Guatemala has a hot and humid tropical climate. The dry season lasts from November until March (mild temperatures, low humidity) and the rainy season from June until October. Humidity during the rainy season, accompanied by high temperatures (38°C), is often stifling, particularly along the Pacific coast. Nights are generally cold in mountainous areas.
Useful Numbers
| Country Code: | +502 |
| Fire Dept. volontaires: | 110 |
| Fire Dept. municipaux: | 123 |
| Emergency Services: | 911 |
Electricity
Voltage: 120 V ~ 60 Hz
Outlets:
