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Guatemala

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Guatemala. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Guatemala City

Head of State

President Bernardo Arévalo

Head of Government

President Bernardo Arévalo

Inmates gather at a watch tower a Renovacion 1 prison as riots erupt in three Guatemalan prisons, with hostages taken, authorities said on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Guatemala declares 30-day state of emergency after gangs kill 8 police officers

The measure, pending approval by the opposition-led Congress, suspends assembly rights and allows arrests without a court order.

19 Jan 2026 - 4:24PM

Gun violence in the US

Who is Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed US woman Renee Nicole Good?

11 Jan 2026 - 6:33AM

United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

3 Jan 2026 - 11:16PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Bus crash kills 15 in Guatemala, government declares 3 days of national mourning

15 others were being treated for injuries at local hospitals after the bus veered off a road and fell into a deep ravine, authorities said.

28 Dec 2025 - 3:58AM

Police officers on the scene after a road accident in Cumbre de Alaska, in Totonicapan, Guatemala killed 15 people on Saturday. Photo: AFP

Colombia

Colombia raids hotel hosting Jewish sect members, rescues 17 children

Intervention was prompted by local tips and Interpol yellow notices issued for some of the missing children.

25 Nov 2025 - 11:51AM

Donald Trump

Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods, in inflation U-turn

The move marks a sharp reversal from the US president, who has insisted that his import duties are not fuelling higher grocery prices.

15 Nov 2025 - 1:21PM

United States

Bananas and beef: White House unveils Latin America trade deals

Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador and El Salvador have agreed to open their markets to US products in exchange for tariff relief on some items.

14 Nov 2025 - 7:38AM

Handlers shake hands at the livestock market in Canuelas, Argentina’s main cattle trading hub, in October. Photo: AP

US immigration

Guatemala prepared to receive minors deported from US

Guatemala’s president makes announcement as a legal dispute in the US temporarily stops deportations of unaccompanied children.

2 Sep 2025 - 10:19AM

US-China relations

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

15 Jul 2025 - 5:04PMvideocam

US immigration

Supreme Court allows swift deportation of migrants away from home countries

Divided court lifts order, paving way for removals to third countries; dissenters warn of torture and death risks.

24 Jun 2025 - 1:41PM

A deportation flight at Fort Bliss, Texas. File photo: US Department of Defence via AFP

Volcanoes

Eruption of Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire deemed over after forcing many to flee

The volcano spewed gas and ash far into the sky on Monday, putting 30,000 people potentially ‘at risk’.

11 Mar 2025 - 3:08PM

The volcano spewed gas and ash far into the sky Monday. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

At least 55 dead in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge

The packed bus fell into a sewage-polluted river, landing upside down and half-submerged.

11 Feb 2025 - 10:45AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Guatemala strikes deal with Rubio to accept migrants deported from US

Under the ‘safe third country’ agreement, the deportees would then be sent back to their home countries at US expense.

6 Feb 2025 - 2:43AMvideocam

US-China relations

Eyeing China, Rubio makes Central America his first trip as top US diplomat

Countering Beijing and ‘deepening economic partnerships’ to boost regional prosperity said to be on agenda in tour that starts in Panama.

1 Feb 2025 - 5:36AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a long-time China hawk who has a history of engaging leaders in Latin America. Photo: Reuters

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Europe’s only medallist, US hopeful, Chinese champ are badminton’s Paris stars

Out to foil China’s Chen Yu Fei will be South Korean hope An Se-young, while some countries will be competing in the sport for the first time.

23 Jul 2024 - 3:48PM

Defending singles champion Chen Yu Fei (right) will face stern competition from An Se-Young of South Korea in Paris. Photo: EPA-EFE

Americas and the Caribbean

Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says

Brazil’s President said: ‘I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath.’

23 Jul 2024 - 2:40AMvideocam

American cinema

Francis Ford Coppola opening first US hotel, full of props from his movies

Director bought a Georgia motel to use as production base for his film Megalopolis. With props from movies including The Godfather, it’s opening to guests as the All-Movie Hotel – his first US hotel.

22 Jul 2024 - 4:20PM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Badminton gold not a guarantee for favourites China at Paris Olympics

Not one top-ranked player or pair won gold in Tokyo, with Games environment bringing ‘a different pressure’.

8 Jul 2024 - 3:26PM

Chen Yufei celebrates beating An Se-young in the final of the 2024 Indonesia Open. Photo: Xinhua

Food and Drinks

Language Matters | Where chocolate and cacao came from and the history of the words

On World Chocolate Day (July 7), Lisa Lim looks at the origins of chocolate and cacao, the history of the words and how they evolved, and why Europe was late to the party.

7 Jul 2024 - 3:53PM

Art

Sceptical artist’s Hong Kong show of world leaders saying sorry

Taiwanese-American James T. Hong’s exhibition Apologies and Other Regrets features a video compilation of leaders apologising for their countries’ misdeeds. The artist calls their motives into question.

4 Jul 2024 - 4:15PM

Americas and the Caribbean

US jails ex-Honduras president for 45 years on drugs charges

Juan Orlando Hernandez, 55, will likely die behind bars for engaging in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that sent massive amounts of cocaine to the United States.

27 Jun 2024 - 12:10PM

Former Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez is sentenced in US federal court in New York on Wednesday. Courtroom sketch: Jane Rosenberg via Reuters

United States

My Take | America’s banana imperialism still haunts the world

US$38.3 million ruling for Colombian victims has been ordered against Chiquita, one of the world’s largest banana producers that traced its dark history back to the infamous United Fruit Company.

13 Jun 2024 - 9:00PM

Asean

Opinion | Climate change threat is more than a storm in Vietnam’s coffee cup

From Brazil and Colombia to Indonesia and Vietnam, crops over the last decade have been hit by adverse weather and disease. Supply is increasingly unstable and shrinking, even as land suitable for cultivation disappears

29 May 2024 - 5:30AMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Jason Momoa’s new Hit Man actress girlfriend, Adria Arjona

After dropping hints at an event last week that he was in a relationship, Aquaman star Jason Momoa has officially confirmed it via Instagram – so what do we know about his new love, Adria Arjona?

21 May 2024 - 7:00PM

Taiwan

Taiwan earthquake: US, other Taipei allies send messages of support

White House says it is monitoring situation in self-ruled island and its potential impact amid recovery efforts in hard-hit eastern Hualien city.

4 Apr 2024 - 3:33AMvideocam

A man looks at the cordoned-off site of a leaning building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien in eastern Taiwan on Wednesday. Photo: AP

United States

On Balance | Baltimore bridge collapse shows how the US needs yet neglects immigrants

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse highlights the working conditions of Latino immigrants in the US. Ideologues scapegoat immigrants from Mexico and Central America despite benefiting from their labour.

2 Apr 2024 - 1:14AMvideocam

The collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge lies on top of the container ship Dali in Baltimore, Maryland on March 29 as clean-up work begins. Photo: AFP

US immigration

Bodies of 8 Chinese migrants found on Mexico beach after boat capsized

The bodies of seven women and a man were discovered on Friday in the state of Oaxaca, along a route frequently used by people trying to reach the US.

2 Apr 2024 - 3:56PM

Marine safety

US awards Maryland US$60 million to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge

Formal details of funding is expected on Thursday evening. The ‘quick release’ federal award comes after Maryland governor sought the funding, saying it would lay foundation for a rapid recovery.

29 Mar 2024 - 7:46AMvideocam

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Guatemala

Guatemala declares 30-day state of emergency after gangs kill 8 police officers

The measure, pending approval by the opposition-led Congress, suspends assembly rights and allows arrests without a court order.

Who is Jonathan Ross, the ICE agent who killed US woman Renee Nicole Good?

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

Bus crash kills 15 in Guatemala, government declares 3 days of national mourning

15 others were being treated for injuries at local hospitals after the bus veered off a road and fell into a deep ravine, authorities said.

Colombia raids hotel hosting Jewish sect members, rescues 17 children

Intervention was prompted by local tips and Interpol yellow notices issued for some of the missing children.

Trump cuts tariffs on beef, coffee and other foods, in inflation U-turn

The move marks a sharp reversal from the US president, who has insisted that his import duties are not fuelling higher grocery prices.

Bananas and beef: White House unveils Latin America trade deals

Argentina, Guatemala, Ecuador and El Salvador have agreed to open their markets to US products in exchange for tariff relief on some items.

Guatemala prepared to receive minors deported from US

Guatemala’s president makes announcement as a legal dispute in the US temporarily stops deportations of unaccompanied children.

Exclusive | Taiwanese leader said to be planning US ‘stopover’ that’s set to anger Beijing

William Lai could visit New York and Texas on his way to South America, sources say, at a time when US-China relations are already tense.

Supreme Court allows swift deportation of migrants away from home countries

Divided court lifts order, paving way for removals to third countries; dissenters warn of torture and death risks.

Eruption of Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire deemed over after forcing many to flee

The volcano spewed gas and ash far into the sky on Monday, putting 30,000 people potentially ‘at risk’.

At least 55 dead in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge

The packed bus fell into a sewage-polluted river, landing upside down and half-submerged.

Guatemala strikes deal with Rubio to accept migrants deported from US

Under the ‘safe third country’ agreement, the deportees would then be sent back to their home countries at US expense.

Eyeing China, Rubio makes Central America his first trip as top US diplomat

Countering Beijing and ‘deepening economic partnerships’ to boost regional prosperity said to be on agenda in tour that starts in Panama.

Europe’s only medallist, US hopeful, Chinese champ are badminton’s Paris stars

Out to foil China’s Chen Yu Fei will be South Korean hope An Se-young, while some countries will be competing in the sport for the first time.

Lula ‘scared’ by Maduro’s bloodbath warning ahead of Venezuela vote, president says

Brazil’s President said: ‘I was scared by Maduro’s statements that if he loses the election there will be a bloodbath.’

Francis Ford Coppola opening first US hotel, full of props from his movies

Director bought a Georgia motel to use as production base for his film Megalopolis. With props from movies including The Godfather, it’s opening to guests as the All-Movie Hotel – his first US hotel.

Badminton gold not a guarantee for favourites China at Paris Olympics

Not one top-ranked player or pair won gold in Tokyo, with Games environment bringing ‘a different pressure’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Language Matters | Where chocolate and cacao came from and the history of the words

On World Chocolate Day (July 7), Lisa Lim looks at the origins of chocolate and cacao, the history of the words and how they evolved, and why Europe was late to the party.

Sceptical artist’s Hong Kong show of world leaders saying sorry

Taiwanese-American James T. Hong’s exhibition Apologies and Other Regrets features a video compilation of leaders apologising for their countries’ misdeeds. The artist calls their motives into question.

US jails ex-Honduras president for 45 years on drugs charges

Juan Orlando Hernandez, 55, will likely die behind bars for engaging in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that sent massive amounts of cocaine to the United States.

My Take | America’s banana imperialism still haunts the world

US$38.3 million ruling for Colombian victims has been ordered against Chiquita, one of the world’s largest banana producers that traced its dark history back to the infamous United Fruit Company.

Opinion | Climate change threat is more than a storm in Vietnam’s coffee cup

From Brazil and Colombia to Indonesia and Vietnam, crops over the last decade have been hit by adverse weather and disease. Supply is increasingly unstable and shrinking, even as land suitable for cultivation disappears

Meet Jason Momoa’s new Hit Man actress girlfriend, Adria Arjona

After dropping hints at an event last week that he was in a relationship, Aquaman star Jason Momoa has officially confirmed it via Instagram – so what do we know about his new love, Adria Arjona?

Taiwan earthquake: US, other Taipei allies send messages of support

White House says it is monitoring situation in self-ruled island and its potential impact amid recovery efforts in hard-hit eastern Hualien city.

On Balance | Baltimore bridge collapse shows how the US needs yet neglects immigrants

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse highlights the working conditions of Latino immigrants in the US. Ideologues scapegoat immigrants from Mexico and Central America despite benefiting from their labour.

Bodies of 8 Chinese migrants found on Mexico beach after boat capsized

The bodies of seven women and a man were discovered on Friday in the state of Oaxaca, along a route frequently used by people trying to reach the US.

US awards Maryland US$60 million to rebuild collapsed Baltimore bridge

Formal details of funding is expected on Thursday evening. The ‘quick release’ federal award comes after Maryland governor sought the funding, saying it would lay foundation for a rapid recovery.

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

Language Matters | Where chocolate and cacao came from and the history of the words