Nearly half of Guatemala’s people identify as indigenous. The Maya (who themselves speak 21 distinct languages) are the largest single group, though the country is also home to Afro-descendant peoples, especially along the Caribbean coast. These often-marginalized communities suffer from high rates of poverty, chronic malnutrition and persistent struggles over land and natural resources. The urban poor endure high murder rates as street gangs wage bloody battles for control of extortion and other criminal rackets. USIP programming will focus on promoting a culture of lawfulness while helping civic leaders — especially young activists — overcome the country’s historic inequities and reduce polarization.

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La movilización juvenil genera esperanza para el futuro democrático de Guatemala

La movilización juvenil genera esperanza para el futuro democrático de Guatemala

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

By: Miriam Psychas

El 20 de agosto, los guatemaltecos votaron decisivamente a favor de Bernardo Arévalo en la segunda vuelta de las elecciones presidenciales, dando paso al que probablemente será el presidente más progresista del país en décadas. En apenas dos meses, el Partido Movimiento Semilla de Arévalo condujo una campaña de bajo presupuesto impulsada, desde las redes sociales, que llevó a un candidato poco conocido a una victoria aplastante de 20 puntos.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & GovernanceYouth

Youth Mobilization Sparks Hope for Guatemala’s Democratic Future

Youth Mobilization Sparks Hope for Guatemala’s Democratic Future

Monday, August 28, 2023

By: Miriam Psychas

On August 20, Guatemalans voted decisively in favor of Bernardo Arévalo in their runoff presidential election, ushering in what will likely be the country’s most progressive president in decades. In just two months, Arévalo’s Movimiento Semilla party used its low-budget, social media-fueled campaign to propel him from obscure underdog candidate to a 20-point landslide victory.

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & GovernanceYouth

¿Cómo deberían responder los Estados Unidos a la influencia China en América Latina?

¿Cómo deberían responder los Estados Unidos a la influencia China en América Latina?

Monday, August 28, 2023

By: Nicolás Devia-Valbuena;  Gen. Alberto Mejia

El 21 de agosto, el Parlamento Centroamericano – organismo regional regional que representa a Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, la República Dominicana y Panamá – votó a favor de expulsar a Taiwán como observador permanente y sustituirlo por la República Popular China (RPC).

Type: Analysis and Commentary

Democracy & GovernanceGlobal Policy

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