Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo and U.S. Under Secretary of State José W. Fernández engaged in a high-level economic dialogue to foster economic growth in Guatemala, focusing on governance, agriculture, renewable energy, investment, and remittances. The U.S. played a key role in Arévalo's inauguration, sanctioning individuals undermining democracy and halting cooperation programs during the presidential transition. Upcoming meetings include Arévalo with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas. The U.S. has resumed USAID programs and is looking to expand financing, signaling a strong bilateral relationship.

Guatemala is experiencing a significant number of forest fires early in the year, with 721 fires already accounting for 74% of the total recorded in 2023. The fires, exacerbated by El Niño and higher temperatures, have caused damage to agriculture and local fauna, particularly in the Sacatepéquez department. The majority of these fires are man-made, linked to traditional slash-and-burn agricultural practices. While the fire on the Volcán de Agua has been 95% controlled, the cause remains unknown. Governmental and academic institutions are working on fire prevention and management, with community involvement in firefighting efforts. International aid has also been sought, with Taiwan contributing $300,000.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a landslide election victory. His inauguration faced delays due to opposition attempts to undermine his authority, including actions by the attorney-general, an ally of former president Alejandro Giammattei. Arevalo has promised to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are key factors driving migration to the United States. Despite challenges, including a Supreme Court decision affecting his Semilla party's presence in Congress, Arevalo's election marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms and address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration. Arevalo's transition faced obstacles from the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, and the Supreme Court's decision that affected the representation of Arevalo's Semilla party in Congress. Despite these challenges, international support for Arevalo's election victory remains strong.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by Congress's attempts to limit his authority. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His victory marks a significant shift in Guatemala's political landscape, traditionally dominated by conservative parties. Despite opposition from these parties and attempts by the attorney-general to obstruct his presidency, Arevalo has taken office, promising a new era for the nation.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by opposition in Congress. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, represents a progressive movement and aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration and has been associated with corruption scandals. Arevalo's party, Semilla, faces opposition from established political parties and holds only 23 of the 160 seats in Congress. The Supreme Court's decision to allow opposition lawmakers to maintain Congress leadership and classify Semilla members as independents has weakened Arevalo's position. Despite these challenges, international support for Arevalo's election victory has been voiced, including from the United States and several Latin American countries.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president following a landslide election victory. His inauguration was delayed due to opposition attempts to undermine his authority, highlighting the challenges he faces in implementing reforms and addressing issues driving migration to the U.S. Arevalo replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose administration was marred by corruption scandals. Despite opposition from established political parties and legal challenges from the attorney-general, Arevalo has taken office, aiming to reshape Guatemala's conservative-dominated political landscape.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption advocate, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, aims to implement sweeping reforms to address the cost of living and violence, which are driving migration to the U.S. He replaces Alejandro Giammattei, whose tenure was marred by corruption scandals. Arevalo's transition faced resistance from established political parties and the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei. Despite legal challenges and Congress's attempts to weaken his party's influence, Arevalo urged supporters to celebrate in the capital, signaling a new era for Guatemala.

Bernardo Arevalo, an anti-corruption crusader, has been inaugurated as Guatemala's president after a chaotic ceremony delayed by congressional opposition. Arevalo, who won the August elections by a landslide, represents a progressive movement and aims to implement reforms to address the cost of living and violence. His predecessor, Alejandro Giammattei, did not attend the inauguration. Arevalo has faced opposition from established political parties, and the attorney-general, an ally of Giammattei, has attempted to hinder his transition. Despite challenges, including a Supreme Court decision that affected his party's representation in Congress, Arevalo's election victory has been supported by the United States and several Latin American countries.

The article discusses the severe environmental issue of plastic debris accumulating in the world's oceans and rivers, leading to the creation of garbage patches and floating islands of non-biodegradable waste. It specifically highlights one of the worst cases occurring off the coasts of Guatemala and Honduras in the Americas. The report is by journalist Harris Whitbeck, who provides an investigative look into this pressing environmental concern.

The article discusses the severe food scarcity issues faced by some of the poorest communities in the Western hemisphere, particularly in Central America. It highlights how prolonged droughts have led to widespread hunger in the region. The situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has stunted economic growth due to shutdowns. The article specifically mentions Guatemala, where out of a population of 16 million, 2.3 million people suffer from chronic malnutrition, and an additional million have become malnourished since the pandemic's onset. Harris Whitbeck reports from Guatemala, providing insight into the dire situation of food scarcity and malnutrition.

Ormat Technologies, Inc. has issued a statement in response to allegations made by Hindenburg Research LLC, a short seller that could benefit from a decline in Ormat's stock price. Ormat refutes the claims as inaccurate and misleading. The company highlights its commitment to ethical standards and its long-standing provision of clean renewable energy in various countries. Ormat also addresses the investigation of two company members' past activities, noting changes in compliance responsibilities and board member decisions. The company reaffirms its position as a leader in geothermal energy and its strategy for long-term success, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ormat's portfolio includes geothermal and solar power generation, as well as energy storage solutions, with a presence in multiple countries.

The article discusses the plight of thousands of families in Guatemala who lost their homes due to the devastating impact of two hurricanes, Eta and Lola. These natural disasters exacerbated the already dire economic situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. As a result, a significant number of migrants from Honduras and other Central American countries attempted to form a caravan to migrate to the United States in search of better conditions. The United Nations reported that around 5.5 million people were affected by the hurricanes, and international organizations have expressed concern that the situation could escalate into a humanitarian nightmare. Journalist Harris Whitbeck examines the towns from which these families are trying to migrate.

The article discusses the impact of the Trump administration's changes to the U.S. asylum system, particularly the Asylum Cooperation Agreement (ACA) with Guatemala. The ACA has resulted in the deportation of asylum seekers from Honduras and El Salvador to Guatemala, a country facing similar issues of violence, poverty, and corruption. The story is illustrated through the experience of a woman who fled MS-13 gang threats in El Salvador, only to be sent to Guatemala where her safety remains uncertain. Despite the U.S. pledging $47 million to support Guatemala's asylum system, the effectiveness and allocation of these funds are questionable. The article suggests that the underlying aim of these agreements is to deter migration to the U.S. by making the asylum process more difficult and less appealing.

The article reports on the situation at the Guatemala-Mexico border, where a migrant caravan from Honduras is attempting to reach the United States. Mexico has deployed its National Guard to enforce border security, a move influenced by U.S. pressure and President Trump's threats of import tariffs. The journalist observes multiple attempts by migrants to cross into Mexico, with varying responses from Mexican authorities, including registration requirements and deportations. Despite the obstacles, migrants continue to seek ways to cross, with some succeeding when border security is absent. The article highlights Mexico's tougher stance on immigration and the impact of U.S. policies on its southern border enforcement.

Hundreds of thousands of Central Americans, including residents of Nueva Esperanza, Guatemala, migrated to the United States last year due to extreme hardships such as poverty, drought, violence, and unemployment. Emilio Monzón, the deputy mayor of Nueva Esperanza, who is also ill and relies on family in the U.S., describes the dire situation where many men have left, potentially leaving only women behind. The dry conditions have severely affected their subsistence farming, and coyotes, or human smugglers, are actively promoting their services, offering discounts to migrants traveling with minors. The U.S. asylum process has been a draw, especially with rumors of being able to wait for asylum claims on U.S. soil. Local children are increasingly living with single mothers or grandparents as parents migrate, with some, like 13-year-old Juan Carlos, facing separation and detention in the U.S. Monzón himself considers migrating to the U.S. once he recovers from his illness.

Many children in Guatemala consider moving to another country a normal occurrence, with thousands attempting to flee to the US with their parents in search of work and a better life. Juan Carlos is one such child who was caught by border police, separated from his father, and imprisoned for seven months in the US before being sent back to Guatemala. Alex, a classmate of Juan Carlos, has a father working in the US and has not seen him for three years. Their teacher, Rolando, notes the difficulty these children face in concentrating at school due to their intense personal stories.