TOPIC

/ location

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

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in Panama City earlier this month. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

US military kills 2 in eastern Pacific boat strike in first attack in months

Lethal attack on low profile vessel ends two-month pause, bringing total campaign death toll to 223 across 67 strikes.

25 Aug 2026 - 9:26AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Guatemala on volcano alert after Fuego erupts

5 Aug 2026 - 2:18PM

Natural disasters

Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador

18 Jul 2026 - 2:37AM

Extreme weather

El Nino is back – and it could be ‘one for the history books’

The weather event – which can bring droughts, floods and record temperatures – has officially arrived, and could grow to peak strength.

12 Jun 2026 - 12:52PM

A firefighter monitors flames caused by the Hughes Fire in California, in January 2025. Scientists fear El Nino will exacerbate the heat of a planet already warming from burning fossil fuels. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

At least 19 killed in Honduras palm plantation massacre

The mass shooting came as the military prepares a sweeping domestic crackdown on drug cartels and gangs.

22 May 2026 - 2:05PM

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?

Earlier this year, the ‘expert marksman’ shot multiple taser probes into a man who dragged him 100 metres with his car during a traffic stop.

11 Jan 2026 - 6:33AM

A protester holds a sign reading “Arrest Jonathan Rorss” during a rally for Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Thursday. Photo: AP Photo

United States

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

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

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

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

Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France. Photo: AP

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

US President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House on Thursday. Photo: AFP

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

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

A planned US “stopover” by Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te comes as relations are tense between Beijing and Washington and as Taipei grapples with Donald Trump’s tariffs. Photo: Reuters

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

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

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo (left) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive to give a joint news conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City on Wednesday. Photo: AP

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

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

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at Planalto palace in Brasilia, Brazil on Monday. Photo: Reuters

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

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

Guatemala

US military kills 2 in eastern Pacific boat strike in first attack in months

Lethal attack on low profile vessel ends two-month pause, bringing total campaign death toll to 223 across 67 strikes.

Guatemala on volcano alert after Fuego erupts

Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador

El Nino is back – and it could be ‘one for the history books’

The weather event – which can bring droughts, floods and record temperatures – has officially arrived, and could grow to peak strength.

At least 19 killed in Honduras palm plantation massacre

The mass shooting came as the military prepares a sweeping domestic crackdown on drug cartels and gangs.

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?

Earlier this year, the ‘expert marksman’ shot multiple taser probes into a man who dragged him 100 metres with his car during a traffic stop.

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

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

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.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}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-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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

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

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