Switzerland enjoys good relations with Guatemala. The two countries work together in the fields of the economy, justice and human security.
Key aspects of diplomatic relations
Switzerland and Guatemala have concluded agreements in a range of areas including trade, air traffic, and investment promotion and protection. Consular affairs are handled by the Swiss embassy in San José (Costa Rica). The Swiss embassy focuses its efforts on promoting a strong legal system, combating impunity, defending human rights, dealing with the past, protecting the environment, tackling climate change, and promoting economic development.
Economic cooperation
Trade between Guatemala and Switzerland is modest. In 2023, Switzerland imported goods worth around CHF 70.2 million, almost exclusively agricultural products. In 2023, exports to Guatemala, consisting mainly of machinery, chemical and pharmaceutical products, precision instruments and watches, totalled almost CHF 49.7 million. The free trade agreement between EFTA and the Central American States was signed in 2013. Guatemala ratified this agreement in 2020, but it has not yet entered into force.
Cooperation in education, research and innovation
Researchers and artists who are citizens of Guatemala can apply to the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships.
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships for Foreign Scholars and Artists, SERI
Peace support and human security
In Guatemala, the FDFA is taking action against impunity and corruption. Switzerland supported the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) since 2007 until its mandate ended in September 2019. Switzerland also supports efforts to deal with the past and promotes peace, women's rights, freedom of expression and freedom of the press, as well as defending ethnic diversity. It has supported and organised a range of educational measures and exhibitions on these topics.
Development cooperation and humanitarian aid
Central America has been a priority region for Swiss development cooperation for over forty years. Guatemala received around CHF 1.3 million from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in 2021 as part of its bilateral cooperation and humanitarian aid work. The SDC's activities focus mainly on Nicaragua and Honduras. However, Guatemala nonetheless benefits from regional projects for the prevention and management of the natural disasters that regularly strike the region (cf. hurricanes Eta and Iota at the end of 2020). Switzerland will cease its bilateral cooperation in the region by the end of 2024, though humanitarian aid will continue.
Cultural exchanges
The Swiss embassy regularly sponsors concerts, theatre performances and exhibitions by Swiss and Guatemalan artists.
Swiss nationals in Guatemala
According to the statistics on the Swiss abroad, there were 1,136 Swiss nationals living in Guatemala at the end of 2023.
History of bilateral relations
Although Guatemala achieved independence in 1821, the state was not established until 1839. Switzerland recognised the state immediately. A Swiss consulate was opened in Guatemala City in 1891 and an embassy established in 1962. Switzerland and Guatemala have maintained diplomatic relations since 1957.
Guatemala, Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (de, fr, it)
