Photo of the cover Photo of Guatemala's Policy Brief
Cover Photo: Abner Navarro / Pexels / Pexels license

Share

Authors

      Type

      Related Links

      Guatemala: Violence and Insecurity

      This post is also available in: Português Español

      On July 12, 2024, the Inter-American Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program and Cristosal published a policy brief asserting that President Bernardo Arévalo’s government can demonstrate the feasibility of implementing effective and democratic measures to address insecurity in Guatemala. This is the second policy brief in a series on security policies and the rule of law in the region, launched by the Dialogue’s Rule of Law Program.

      From the review of past policies implemented in Guatemala, several valuable practices emerged that significantly impacted the country’s alarming violence levels in the early 2010s. These practices include the coordination and harmonization of the security sector under the Law of the National Security System, the strategic criminal prosecution policy and the model implemented by the Attorney General’s Office between 2010 and 2018 with the support of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), the police reform and modernization initiated by the Police Reform Commission in 2009, and the Open Schools program, which extended school hours for recreational, sports, and artistic activities for young people.

      The report, based on comprehensive research, interviews and diverse stakeholder input gathered from two closed meetings held in April 2024 in Guatemala City, highlights successful past policies and proposes key elements for an effective and democratic security policy in Guatemala, including:

      • Resuming the Police Reform Initiative.
      • Strengthening Intelligence and Analysis Capabilities.
      • Local Security Strategies and Community Policing.
      • Promoting Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women.
      • Efforts to Prevent and Fight Corruption.
      • Learning from Indigenous Justice Systems.
      • Improving the Prison System.
      • Renewing the Institutional Framework for Land Disputes.
      • Gun Control.
      • Regulation of Private Security Services.
      • Continuity of Policies across Political Transitions.

      Lea el Informe

      DOWNLOAD THE POLICY BRIEF HERE:

      Suggested Content

      Violence & Impunity: Protecting Journalists in Colombia & Mexico

      Violence against journalists is fortunately uncommon in many Latin American countries. But in some parts of the region it is of great concern.

      Rethinking US Drug Policy

      US citizens today are clearly unhappy with their government’s anti-drug policies.

      Fiscal Policy & the Poor in Latin America

      Good fiscal policy not only promotes macroeconomic stability and growth, it is also a powerful tool for directly reducing poverty and inequality.

      The Inter-American Dialogue Education Program

      SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

      * indicates required