After independence in the 19th century Guatemala emerged as a country with a ruling elite of European stock who controlled the economy and a large disenfranchised indigenous population. Through most of the twentieth century Governments were repressive and closely aligned with US interests and the United Fruit Company.
The US has a history of acting against liberally elected Governments right through the post-war period. A civil war raged from 1960 to 1996 leaving an estimated 200,000 dead. In the 1980's the civil war in Guatemala became part of the broader isthmus wars. All of the wars in Central America were interconnected. The Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua was seen as a model for the downtrodden throughout the Isthmus but was resisted by the US following a Cold War logic. Pressure on the Sandinistas by the US forced them to seek support from Cuba and the Soviet Union.
The Sandinistas then supported left wing guerrilla groups in neighbouring countries which were acquiescing in US policies. The US, in turn, supported right wing guerrillas to counter the left wing groups until the Cold War ended. The civil war 1996 but the legacy of armed guerilla groups continues to this day with the isthmus having some of the world’s highest homicide rates.
Guatemala has typically grown at about 4% per annum apart from a significant downturn in the 1980's as the isthmus wars expanded. Economic policy is a mix of light industry, agriculture, Zonas Francas (free trade zones) and integration in the Central American Common Market. The trade deficit is covered by remittances from Salvadoreans working abroad. Guatemala has a new constitution since 1996 and has had regular political transitions ever since albeit that the right wing parties are heavily infiltrated by ex military.
Contents
Introduction
The Modern Period
The Current Era
The Modern State
Economics from the Ground Up
Political Systems
Trade Theory
The EU as a Model of Integration
Industrialisation
Synopsis
Data
World GDP 2018
World GDP PPP 2018
GDP per capita ppp 2018
Exports & Imports 2018
Container Traffic 2010 & 2018
Oil Production 2018
Migrant Remittances 2018
Tourism Statistics 2017
Tourism Americas 2017
Latin America
Background
The US and Latin America
Economy
The EU and Latin America
Mercosur
World Exports 2000-2018
Guatemala
Introduction
In the 20th Century
Civil War
Presidents since 1996
Economy
CAFTA
State Finances
Central America Tables
Charts & Chart Commentary
Sources
69 pages
Guatemala 2020
- Product Code: ISSN 2014-5063 (2020) No 11
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