What are the main problems in Guatemala?
Public Security, Corruption, and Criminal Justice
Violence and extortion by powerful criminal organizations remain serious problems in Guatemala. Gang-related violence is an important factor prompting people, including unaccompanied children and young adults, to leave the country.
Is it safe to travel to Guatemala right now?
Exercise increased caution in Guatemala due to crime. Do not travel to Guatemala due to COVID-19. … Travelers to Guatemala may experience border closures, airport closures, travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within Guatemala due to COVID-19.
What major events happened in Guatemala?
Contents
- 3.1 Independence and Central America civil war.
- 3.2 Invasion of General Morazán in 1829.
- 3.3 Liberal rule.
- 3.4 Rise of Rafael Carrera.
- 3.5 Invasion and Absorption of Los Altos.
- 3.6 Caste War of Yucatán.
- 3.7 Battle of La Arada. 3.7.1 Concordat of 1854. …
- 3.8 Justo Rufino Barrios government.
What do people in Guatemala celebrate?
The most famous celebration in all of Guatemala is Semana Santa—the weeklong observance of Christian Holy Week. The festivities in Antigua are arguably the most impressive in Latin America. Brightly colored carpets of sawdust and flower petals—alfombras—pave the city streets and church floors.
Why is Guatemala city so dangerous?
According to the US Department of State, Guatemala’s high murder rate is caused by four principal factors: an increase in drug trafficking; a growing prevalence of gang-related violence; a heavily armed civilian population; and a weak and incompetent police/judicial system.
Why Guatemala is so poor?
Guatemala’s poor getting poorer. In Latin America, only Guatemala’s poor are getting even poorer. A new World Bank study says a key reason is that the government collects too few taxes. Low spending leads to poor infrastructure and slow growth.
Is Guatemala safe 2020?
OVERALL RISK : HIGH
Guatemala is not the safest country to visit. It has extremely high crime rates, of both violent and petty crime. You should be vigilant and take all possible precaution measures in order to minimize the risk of something wrong happening.
Can I travel to Guatemala right now 2020?
Do not travel to Guatemala due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Guatemala due to crime. Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Guatemala due to COVID-19.
Can you drink the water in Guatemala?
Is the Water Safe to Drink in Guatemala? It is not safe to drink the tap water in Guatemala. … Bottled water (agua pura) is widely available in grocery stores, restaurants, and hotels. Boiling water for one minute or using iodine pills or a water filter will also purify water.
What is Guatemala most known for?
Guatemala is best known for its volcanic landscape, fascinating Mayan culture and the colorful colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But this small Central American country has a wealth of homegrown produce and talent.
Why did the US get involved in Guatemala?
As the Cold War heated up in the 1950s, the United States made decisions on foreign policy with the goal of containing communism. To maintain its hegemony in the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. intervened in Guatemala in 1954 and removed its elected president, Jacobo Arbenz, on the premise that he was soft on communism.
What do they eat in Guatemala?
Main Meals
Corn, beans, rice, pork, beef, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the backbone of most Guatemalan cuisine. Meat stews (caldos) and soups (sopas) are easily the most popular dishes among locals.
What are 3 interesting facts about Guatemala?
11 Surprising Cultural Facts You Didn’t Know About Guatemala
- The national bird lends its name to the Guatemalan currency. …
- Guatemala means “land of many trees” …
- It has been inhabited for 20,000 years. …
- 22 languages are spoken in the country. …
- The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954. …
- The Guatemalan Civil War was the longest in Latin American history.
What is the most important holiday in Guatemala?
5 Guatemalan Festivals You Just Can’t Miss
- Semana Santa / Holy Week. When: March or April. …
- Festival Folklórico de Cobán / Cobán Folkloric Festival. When: last week of July. …
- Día de la Independencia / Independence Day. When: September 15th …
- Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead. When: November 1st and 2nd …
- Feria de Santo Tomás / Feast of St. Thomas. …
- (Bonus!)
