Canada-Guatemala relations
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Bilateral relations
Canada and Guatemala have a long-standing and positive relationship, spanning 65 years. Government-to-Government relations are positive, with ongoing engagement between Canadian and Guatemalan officials to address a wide array of topics of common interest.
Canada remains committed to working with Guatemala in support of efforts to strengthen institutions, rule of law, human rights, inclusive economic growth and prosperity, climate change resilience, and addressing irregular migration and forced displacement. Canada maintains its commitment to contribute to efforts to fight against corruption and impunity and has expressed concern over the ongoing attacks and abuses against human rights defenders and justice actors – including prosecutors, judges, and lawyers in the country. Canada also contributes to the protection and promotion of the rights of the most vulnerable, including women and girls, Indigenous, and rural populations. A good example of positive collaboration between Canada and Guatemala are the thousands of Guatemalan temporary foreign workers who travel every year to Canada to work in several sectors. This successful initiative allows Guatemalan workers to make an important contribution to the Canadian economy, as well as to the development and well-being of their own families and communities.
Looking to the future, Canada remains committed to support Guatemala’s efforts towards building a more inclusive, democratic and prosperous society.
Canada supports security programs, including the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program by funding projects aimed at security sector reform, combatting human trafficking and transnational crime, improving border management, and reforming anti-corruption practices.
The Department of National Defense and the Canadian Armed Forces are engaged in cooperation with Guatemala in the areas of capacity building, peace support operations training, and efforts to address transnational criminal organizations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Guatemala is represented in Canada by an Embassy in Ottawa, Consulates General in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, and a Consulate in Halifax. Canada is represented in Guatemala by an Embassy in Guatemala City.
Trade relations
Guatemala is Canada's largest bilateral trading partner in the region. Canada’s main exports include cereals, fertilizers, and paper and paperboard. Canada’s main imports from Guatemala include fruits, nuts, coffee, tea, and spices.
Canada’s commercial engagement in Guatemala covers sectors such as mining, oil and gas, agriculture, clean technologies, infrastructure, information and communications technologies, and forestry. The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Guatemala provides support on trade policy issues, responsible business conduct and market access. Canadian officials maintain good communication with local authorities, private sector, chambers of commerce and associations as well as individual companies interested in doing business with Canada. They also participate in and organize events and activities to promote Canadian goods and services.
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Development
Canada has had a development program in Guatemala since 1976. Canada’s bilateral programming Areas of focus include addressing the root causes of migration and displacement through improving access to essential health services and training, technical assistance, climate adaptation and economic empowerment in vulnerable communities, with a focus on youth and Indigenous women and girls. Canada advances Canadian values and interests in Guatemala, including sustainable economic development, security, climate resilience, inclusive governance, democracy, gender equality and the protection of human rights. Canada also provides humanitarian assistance to Guatemala to address malnutrition and food insecurity, to protect livelihoods and to meet the basic needs of vulnerable populations.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Guatemala work closely in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- Organization of American States (OAS)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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