Guatemala Country Handbook 1. This handbook provides basic reference information on Guatemala, including its geography, history, government, military forces, and communications and transportation networks. This information is intended to familiarize military per- sonnel with local customs and area knowledge to assist them during their assignment to Guatemala. 2. This product is published under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Intelligence Production Program (DoDIPP) with the Marine Corps Intel- ligence Activity designated as the community coordinator for the Country Hand- book Program. This product reflects the coordinated U.S. Defense Intelligence Community position on Guatemala. 3. Dissemination and use of this publication is restricted to official military and government personnel from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, NATO member countries, and other countries as required and designated for support of coalition operations. 4. The photos and text reproduced herein have been extracted solely for research, comment, and information reporting, and are intended for fair use by designated personnel in their official duties, including local reproduction for train- ing. Further dissemination of copyrighted material contained in this document, to include excerpts and graphics, is strictly prohibited under Title 17, U.S. Code. CONTENTS KEY FACTS. 1 U.S. MISSION . 2 U.S. Embassy. 2 Travel Advisories. 2 Passport/Visa Requirements . 4 Immunization Requirements. 4 Custom Restrictions . 4 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE . 5 Geography . 5 Border Disputes . 6 Boundaries . 6 Cross Country Movement. 9 Environment . 9 Climate. 9 Phenomena . 12 TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION . 12 Transportation . 12 Roads . 12 Rail . 13 Air . 15 Maritime . 16 Communication . 17 Radio and Television. 17 Telecommunication. 18 Internet . 18 iii Contents (Continued) Newspapers and Magazines . 18 Postal Services . 19 Satellites . 19 CULTURE . 19 Statistics. 19 Ethnic Groups . 20 Society . 20 People . 20 Education and Literacy Rates . 22 Language. 23 Religion . 23 Recreation . 23 Customs and Courtesies. 23 Greetings. 24 Gestures . 25 Dress . 25 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT . 25 Disease Risks to Deployed Personnel . 25 Food- and Waterborne Diseases . 25 Vectorborne Diseases . 26 Bloodborne and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 26 Respiratory Diseases. 26 Water-contact Diseases . 27 Animal-contact Diseases. 27 Medical Capabilities . 27 Key Medical Facilities . 28 HISTORY . 30 Chronology of Key Events . 36 iv Contents (Continued) GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS . 37 Government . 37 Key Government Officials . 37 National Government . 37 Local Government . 38 Politics. 38 Elections and Suffrage . 38 Political Parties. 38 Foreign Relations . 40 ECONOMY . 44 Resources . 44 Statistics . 45 THREAT . 45 Crime . 45 Terrorism . 46 Corruption . 46 Kidnapping . 46 Drug Trafficking . 47 ARMED FORCES . 48 Mission . 48 Personnel . 48 Training and Education . 49 Capabilities . 50 Force Modernization . 51 Army . 51 Mission . 51 Organization . 51 Equipment . 53 v Contents (Continued) Air Force . 55 Organization . 55 Equipment . 56 Navy . 57 Organization . 57 Naval Infantry. 57 Equipment. ..