Throughout the years, Guatemala and the United States have maintained a close relationship, grounded in shared interests, including security, economic development, democracy, and the fight against transnational criminal organizations. These form the basis on which this friendship was built and solidified, with humanitarian support and cooperation as cornerstones.
“Since Guatemala established diplomatic relations with the United States, both countries have created an alliance based on tackling challenges in the region and around the world head-on,” Guatemalan Army Infantry Major Ann Marie Argueta, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, told Diálogo. “The relationship between both nations is based on dialogue and cooperation through bilateral and regional agreements to strengthen security and development.”
Security and defense cooperation between Guatemala and the United States have strengthened in recent years with training, education, and scholarships for Guatemalan service members, as well as donations of equipment, vehicles, boats, and aircraft to reinforce the fight against crime, Maj. Argueta added.
Historic friendship
Diplomatic relations between Guatemala and the United States date back to 1849. Since then, the two countries have enjoyed a long-standing friendship based on mutual support, development, and stability.
Perhaps the 1947 Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, also known as the Treaty of Rio, a collective security agreement signed by nations of the Americas to promote hemispheric defense and collaboration, contributed to laying the foundation for military cooperation in the region and between U.S. and Guatemalan Armed Forces. Under the U.S.-funded International Military Education and Training (IMET), thousands of Guatemalan service members were able to regularly attend military schools in the United States and Panama starting in the 1950s. Academic exchanges have since then continued.
“The United States offers military professionalization and training courses for the army, air force, and navy to improve the performance of the Guatemalan Armed Forces,” said Maj. Argueta. “There are military preparation and training programs in the fight against transnational organized crime, special combat and rescue operations procedures, training in human rights and international humanitarian law, leadership and management courses, and capacity building to address threats to national security.”
Recent agreements
Bilateral agreements between Guatemala and the United States focus on security, trade, migration, and development. In October 2024, Guatemala and the United States held their first High-Level Security Dialogue, a crucial step toward a shared strategy to counter transnational threats. The meeting, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala indicated in a statement, “will serve as the basis for broader and deeper cooperation to address challenges and promote common interests.”
Between March and October 2024, the United States pledged to invest $100 million to Guatemala se Transforma, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Guatemalan government to bolster security.
By late 2024, Guatemala showed significant results in the fight against narcotrafficking, reporting record drug and contraband seizures. The blows to organized crime that year significantly exceeded those of 2023 and 2022, daily La Hora de Guatemala reported.
“U.S. support for the Guatemalan Armed Forces [in 2024] also materialized with the donation of personal protective equipment, communications equipment, and spare parts,” Maj. Argueta said. “The donations were made during a visit by U.S. Army General Laura Richardson, then commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), who highlighted the importance of bilateral cooperation in strengthening regional security and stability and promoting economic development in Central America.”
According to the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala, in 2023, the United States delivered communications equipment and spare parts for M-113 armored vehicles. In December 2022, the Guatemalan Armed Forces received two Bell 412 helicopters and support for the maintenance of their fleet to facilitate humanitarian and counternarcotics missions. Two months prior, donations to infantry brigades for border patrols included 95 vehicles (Toyota Hilux, Hino trucks, Land Cruisers, and Suzuki motorcycles), valued at $4.4 million. In 2021, the United States donated speedboats to the Navy to patrol the Pacific coast and the Gulf of Honduras.
“Guatemala is and will continue to be a partner of the United States in addressing the problems we face as countries. We face the challenges of the 21st century, such as migration, border security, and the fight against international organized crime,” Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo told the press during the visit of U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio on February 5, 2025. “We will continue to act firmly to build a safer country with dignity, prosperity, and democracy. To achieve these goals, we know that the United States is a key partner.”
