On 28 August 2023, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Guatemala (the ‘TSE’) declared the official results of the second round of the presidential elections held in the country on 20 August 2023.

On 5 October 2023, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (the ‘High Representative’) issued a statement on behalf of the Union on developments following the presidential elections. He expressed deep concern over persistent attempts to undermine the election results through selective and arbitrary legal and procedural actions that are neither in line with Guatemala’s constitution nor with the international and regional standards that Guatemala has subscribed to.

On 8 December 2023, the High Representative issued a statement on the latest developments in Guatemala condemning attempts to nullify the results of the general and presidential elections in the country, calling on the Guatemalan authorities to defend the electoral process and the constitutional order of the country, and highlighting that the latest actions by the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala constitute a violation of Guatemala’s constitution, the rule of law, the electoral process and the most basic principles of a democracy. The statement emphasised that the Union had agreed in principle on, and was ready to adopt, a framework allowing for targeted restrictive measures against those responsible for such actions

In full alignment with the Union’s consistent position on the general elections in Guatemala, the international community, including the Organization of American States, in its resolution adopted on 15 November 2023, and the office of the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, in a statement of 2 October 2023, has repeatedly expressed grave concern over attempts to overturn the election results and called for a peaceful and orderly transition of power in Guatemala.

In view of the gravity of the situation, which constitutes a threat to the stability of Guatemala and the region, the EU established on 12 January 2024 a dedicated framework of restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies responsible for actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala or undermining democracy or the rule of law in Guatemala including through serious financial misconduct concerning public funds and the unauthorised export of capital, as well as against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them.

Restrictive measures

Travel ban	Freezing of funds

Trade sanctions: Restricted products and transactions

There are currently no trade related sanctions.

Financial sanctions: Listed persons & entities, restricted services

The list of people whose funds and economic resources are frozen, has been completed recently.

Other sanctions

There are no other sanctions applicable against Guatemala.

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Legal texts

Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/254 of 12 January 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala

Council Regulation (EU) 2024/287 of 12 January 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala

Related information

Human Rights Watch - Guatemala. Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world.