Guatemala

The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) program focuses on three key areas of democratic development: political party strengthening, good governance and youth involvement.

Political parties in Guatemala have benefited from technical assistance on party organization, political communications, ethics, political research, platform development and conflict resolution. Notable results can be observed in more transparent internal elections, improved message development and communication, and a marked increased participation by indigenous people in the parties’ internal processes.

In an effort to improve the quality of governance, IRI has conducted several polls and focus groups to assist Guatemala’s political leaders and policymakers in identifying reforms necessary for democratic progress. This data has helped local partners to implement solutions that are more relevant to the country’s most urgent political, economic and social challenges.

Realizing the long-term advantages of training and developing a new generation of reform-minded youth leaders, IRI in partnership with the Guatemalan Youth Confederation (CONJUVE), established the Youth Leadership and Governance School of Guatemala in 2005. The school, the first of its kind in the nation’s history, brings together young political leaders with civil societies leaders to discuss and train participants on issues of consensus, development, and good governance. To date, thousands of young men and women have prepared themselves by attending training sessions at the school, resulting in a confident renewal of civic participation by Guatemala’s youth.

The signing of the Peace Accords in 1996 officially ended almost four decades of civil conflict and political violence in Guatemala, which had left more than 100,000 people dead and had created 1 million refugees. Despite lackluster political leadership, economic stagnation and some social polarization, the decade since has been one marked by important advances in national reconciliation, economic development and democratic consolidation.

As an example, the Peace Accords provided for the translation of official documents and voting materials into several indigenous languages, which has served to extend participation to several indigenous and other minority groups which had previously been excluded from the democratic process.

January 2004 saw the inauguration of President Oscar Berger, and for Guatemalans, a moment of optimism after the scandal-ridden and ineffective administration of former president Alfonso Portillo. Berger's election was a milestone for Guatemala in two respects. First, voter turnout rose significantly from previous elections. Secondly, voters soundly and a democratically rejected the authoritarian option presented by his opponent.

Additionally, in 2004, a United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) ceased its 10-year project of monitoring the peace plan implementation and issues of human rights violations. At the time, then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan declared that Guatemala had made “enormous progress in managing the country's problems through dialogue and institutions.”

In 2005, Guatemala ratified the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) The agreement eliminated tariffs on a variety of manufactured goods while opening up markets in many service sectors. It created well-defined and enforceable rules governing investment, e-commerce, public health, intellectual property law and dispute resolution. Passage of the agreement serves as a good example of the use of democratic institutions to effectuate sound policy reforms.

Despite these advances, Guatemala's political parties and policymakers have not yet realized their full potential to serve as effective advocates for their constituencies. Poverty reduction, economic growth, social justice and transparency in government are only a few of the issues for which Guatemalans want their political parties and representatives to offer new ideas, honest reforms and tangible results. IRI is working across the political, social and economic spectrum in Guatemala to assist in effectuating that change.

Political Overview

Chief of State: President Oscar Jose Rafael Berger Perdomo

Type of Government: constitutional democratic republic

Suffrage: universal, age 18 (active duty members of the armed forces may not vote and are restricted to their barracks on Election Day)

Elections Calendar

Program Overview

Focus of Program: governance and party strengthening

Funding Source: National Endowment for Democracy