USAID Guatemala has been operating since the 1950’s. In the last decades we have made significant contributions to the country's development, from aiding the building of Guatemala’s section of the Pan-American Highway, to the foundation of the Association of Guatemalan Exporters (Agexport) and establishing the concession system that protects the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.

In December 1996, Peace Accords brought an end to Guatemala’s devastating 36-year civil conflict and outlined an ambitious development plan for transforming Guatemala into a more participatory, pluralistic, and equitable society. 

From 1997 to 2003, the United States Government supported Guatemala’s initiative to implement the Peace Accords. USAID's Peace Program collaborated closely with several hundred international and Guatemalan organizations to advance Peace Accord commitments in the areas of demobilization, productive assets, modernization of the state. and human capacity building.

Many of the programs that USAID piloted during this time have since been integrated into the nation’s public-service systems such as education, health, justice, and democratic process.

USAID’s current development program builds on the gains of the peace process, working to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives by focusing on Guatemala’s potential as Central America’s largest economy and trading partner of the United States.

We also recognize the country’s lagging social indicators and high rate of poverty and chronic malnutrition among children under five. In fact, Guatemala struggles with some of the lowest social indicators in the hemisphere.

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Blog: 50 Years of Saving and Improving Lives