Politics & Government Guide
Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions in Guatemala
Guatemala is a presidential republic where President Bernardo Arévalo de León, elected as an anti-corruption reformer in August 2023, took office on January 14, 2024. His administration faces significant challenges from an entrenched corrupt establishment, a legislature controlled by opposition forces, and a deeply politicized judicial system that has been undermined by previous administrations. Despite these obstacles, Arévalo's government is pursuing anti-corruption initiatives and security reforms with limited resources and international support.
Corruption Index
Below Average
Government Type
Presidential Republic
Legal System
Civil law system based on 1985 Constitution with separation of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Head of State
President Bernardo Arévalo de León(since 2024)
Head of Government
President Bernardo Arévalo de León(Movimiento Semilla)since 2024
Political Indicators
Corruption Index
Scale: 0-100
High corruption
Transparency International (2024)
Legislature
Major Political Parties
Center-left
Center
Center-right
Voting Rights
Guatemalan citizens aged 18 and older have the right to vote. Presidential elections use a two-round majority voting system. Legislative elections use a mixed system with 128 members elected through 22 departmental lists and 32 national level representatives selected in one nationwide district.
Recent Developments
- President Arévalo assumed office on January 14, 2024, following his landslide victory in August 2023 as an anti-corruption reformer
- Movimiento Semilla was deregistered as a political party following Arévalo's inauguration, hampering the legitimacy of his administration
- Arévalo has filed criminal complaints against Attorney General Consuelo Porras for abuse of authority and proposed legal reforms to remove her prior to the end of her term in 2026
- The Arévalo government is writing a new National Security Strategy and working to revise the country's military penal law with U.S. support
- President Arévalo dismissed his Environment Minister María José Iturbide in April 2024 and Communications Minister Jazmín de la Vega in May 2024 over improprieties
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