Guatemala has been in political crisis since 2015, with tensions intensifying during the 2023 electoral crisis, when a large part of the population mobilised to defend both its vote and the country’s fragile democracy. This crisis is driven by an alliance of groups known as the “Pact of the Corrupt,” which seeks to preserve privileges, corruption and impunity. These groups alleged electoral fraud without evidence, further undermining the rule of law through the criminalisation and prosecution of journalists, human rights defenders, former magistrates and judges.

In 2025, the crisis worsened with an attempt to overthrow the current government using the same unfounded claims of electoral fraud. At the same time, the social crisis persists due to the State’s lack of response to the needs of the most vulnerable populations, particularly Indigenous communities. Many civil society leaders have been criminalised, prosecuted and even murdered for their work, including the defence of their territories.

The enabling environment for CSOs has also been severely affected by the closure of USAID in early 2025 and broader donor cuts. The 2020 reform of the NGO Law further undermined freedoms of expression and association. A new draft CSO Law could reverse some reforms, but would not significantly strengthen the enabling environment.