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 20^th Century

            Civil War

            Presidents since 1996

            Economy

            CAFTA

            State Finances

            Central America Tables

            Charts & Chart Commentary

Sources

69 pages