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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

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

Americas and the Caribbean

At least 55 dead in Guatemala after bus plunges off bridge

11 Feb 2025 - 10:45AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Guatemala strikes deal with Rubio to accept migrants deported from US

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

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

Francis Ford Coppola stayed in this suite at the All-Movie Hotel during the production of Megalopolis. The hotel is a mixed-use property for production companies and the public. Photo: AP

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

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

Pope Francis apologising for sexual abuse by Catholic Church figures of authority, as shown in James T. Hong’s video compilation of world leaders saying sorry, Apologies, now showing in Hong Kong. Photo: Edmond So

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

Making it official: Jason Momoa posted several photos from a recent Japan trip on his Instagram – with his girlfriend Adria Arjona. Photos: @prideofgypsies, @adriaarjona/Instagram

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

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

The Dali cargo ship following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, seen from Riviera Beach, Maryland on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Ship pilot called for tugboat help before crashing into Baltimore bridge

Officials said the distress call was followed by a radio report that the ship had lost power and was approaching the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

28 Mar 2024 - 12:51PMvideocam

United States

Central American and Mexican families mourn missing workers in Baltimore

The governments of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras confirmed that their citizens were among the 6 still missing after cargo ship crashed into Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.

28 Mar 2024 - 4:42AMvideocam

United States

Hopes fade for Baltimore bridge survivors as black box recovered from ship

A coastguard official said there was no hope of finding the six missing workers alive in the frigid water.

27 Mar 2024 - 10:09PMvideocam

The US coastguard cutter Frank Drew (right) patrols near the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge after it was struck by a container ship in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 27. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Opinion | Middle powers’ global clout is growing but not in power politics

The growing influence of middle powers – those too small to be superpowers but still seen as ranking above developing countries – can shape global events. But, as long as great powers can ignore them with unilateral action or by using their veto, this influence is unlikely to shake the core of power politics.

15 Mar 2024 - 9:09PM

Leaders of Southeast Asian nations and their advisers attend the Leaders’ Retreat at Government House during the Asean-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne on March 6. The world’s middle powers are taking advantage of their growing global clout and forming their own alliances, demanding greater influence and pushing superpowers to moderate their behaviour. Photo: AFP

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Inside Out | Trade reforms swept under the carpet as WTO meeting achieves little

Little was expected of the thousands of trade officials gathered in the UAE for the WTO ministerial conference, and they delivered just that. At a time when pressure for reform and the need for global cooperation are mounting, the WTO is still struggling to get out of its own way.

10 Mar 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

Taiwan economy

‘The dream is they’d all be unicorns’: YouTube co-founder eyes Taiwan talent

Following many lucrative years in California, YouTube co-founder Steve Chen has come back to his home of Taiwan to build bridges between the island’s tech talent and the experience and resources of Silicon Valley.

16 Feb 2024 - 12:00PMvideocam

Taiwan

As Guatemala mulls trade ties with Beijing, Taiwanese warned to take notice

Academic says public must understand Taiwan’s small allies are important in helping raise motions in UN to support taking part in international organisations.

10 Feb 2024 - 2:27PMvideocam

Taiwan

Beijing tells Guatemala to break ties with Taiwan if it wants trade relations

The central American country’s foreign minister has said it hopes to develop a commercial relationship with mainland China.

6 Feb 2024 - 9:30PMvideocam

Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez suggested the country might set up an “office of trade interests” in mainland China. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

El Salvador’s President Bukele declares landslide victory in election

‘World’s Coolest Dictator’ Nayib Bukele claims a second five-year term in El Salvador, riding a wave of support for his no-limit ‘war’ on gangs.

5 Feb 2024 - 3:09PM

Mexico

‘He saved our lives’: flyers back man who opened exit, walked on plane’s wing

Fellow passengers supported his actions, saying Aeromexico made them wait for four hours without ventilation or water while the flight was delayed.

27 Jan 2024 - 4:31PM

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