Guatemala

Political relations and human rights

The EU and Guatemala have a long-standing partnership, underpinned by the EU-Central America association agreement and a bilateral memorandum of understanding signed in February 2024.

The association agreement strengthens and consolidates relations between the EU and the six countries of Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama). It comprises three pillars: political dialogue, cooperation and trade.

While the trade pillar has applied provisionally since 2013, the agreement as a whole entered into force in May 2024.

• EU-Central America Association Council, 14 July 2025
• EU-Central America: Council greenlights association agreement (press release, 12 April 2024)
• EU and Guatemala commit to strengthening relations and sign memorandum of understanding (European External Action Service)

Support for democracy

The EU remains committed to supporting democracy and human rights in the country.

In response to an invitation from the Guatemalan Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the EU sent an election observation mission (EU EOM) to monitor the general elections in June and August 2023, demonstrating the EU's strong commitment to supporting democracy and the rule of law and to promoting inclusive and transparent elections.

• Guatemala – general elections, 27 June and 22 August 2023, EU EOM final report (European Parliament)

In 2024, the EU adopted a dedicated framework for sanctions in view of the situation in Guatemala, to support the democratic transition and the will of the Guatemalan people, as expressed in their choice of democratically elected government.

The sanctions target individuals and entities responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law or for obstructing the democratic transition following the 2023 general election. Those sanctioned are subject to travel bans and asset freezes. In addition, EU persons and entities cannot make any funds available to those under sanction.

The sanctions have been renewed annually since 2024 and were last extended until 13 January 2027.

• Guatemala: Council prolongs restrictive measures by a year (press release, 9 January 2026)

Security and fight against organised crime

The EU and Guatemala already work very closely together on security issues and the fight against organised crime, in the context of regional cooperation with partners from Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

The EU is, for example, investing in bolstering LAC countries' ability to combat the use and trafficking of illicit drugs through the EU-CELAC coordination and cooperation mechanism on drugs.

Guatemala also participates actively in several programmes supported by the EU:

• EL PACCTO: joint action against the main threats linked to transnational organised crime
• COPOLAD: efforts to strengthen national drug observatories and to promote evidence-based drug policies
• EUROFRONT regional security programmes: efforts to reinforce border security in Guatemala

Furthermore, in November 2025, at the EU-CELAC summit, the EU and 18 LAC countries, including Guatemala, launched the EU-LAC Alliance for Citizen Security, which aims to scale up bi-regional efforts to address common citizen security challenges.

• EU-LAC Alliance for Citizen Security (European External Action service)

Development

Guatemala and the EU are working together to promote sustainable growth, social cohesion and regional integration.

The EU has allocated €193 million in bilateral grant funding towards cooperation with Guatemala for 2021-2027, complemented by programmes and blended finance under the Global Gateway.

Trade and investment

Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America, with around 19 million inhabitants. The EU is a key economic and development ally, ranking among Guatemala’s top trade and investment partners.

Since the provisional application of the trade pillar of the EU-Central America Association Agreement in 2013, bilateral trade has grown significantly – more than doubling in recent years – reflecting increased market access and diversification.

• EU-Central America trade relations (European Commission)

Multilateralism and international law

The EU and Guatemala defend shared values and principles and share a strong commitment to effective multilateralism and the primacy of territorial integrity and international law.

In this context, Guatemala has offered consistent support for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine and stands firm in condemning Russia's full-scale invasion.

Furthermore, the EU and Guatemala strongly support reform of the United Nations that would enable the organisation to respond effectively to the challenges of the 21st century.

See also

• The European Union and Guatemala (European External Action Service)
• EU diplomatic representation in Guatemala