Alejandro Giammattei

Alejandro Giammattei served as the president of Guatemala, with his term beginning in January 2020. He was elected from the Let's Go (Vamos) party, having previously headed the country's prison system. His presidency coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which his government implemented strict lockdown measures. The pandemic highlighted existing disparities in Guatemala's public health system and exacerbated the wealth gap.1

Guatemala has a history of authoritarian rule and military regimes, with a civil war lasting from 1960 to 1996. The country has faced challenges with drug-related crime, corruption, and human rights violations. Despite efforts to combat these issues, political instability and economic disparities have persisted. In 2023, Bernardo Arévalo won the presidential election, campaigning on an anti-corruption platform.21