Which groups of people have African ancestry in Central America?

In Central America, populations of African ancestry are primarily concentrated along the Caribbean coast.12

The most prominent group is the Garifuna, an ethnic group formed through the intermingling of African people with Indigenous Carib peoples in the Lesser Antilles. Following their deportation by British forces in the late 18th century, many Garifuna settled along the Caribbean coast of Central America, specifically in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They have made significant contributions to the region's cultural heritage, particularly in music.345

Additionally, other communities of African descent in Central America include the descendants of laborers brought from the West Indies—primarily Jamaica—during the 19th century to work on infrastructure projects such as the Atlantic Railroad and banana plantations. These populations have historically faced systemic discrimination and social barriers, though they remain an integral part of the region's diverse demographic landscape.21