EU Renews Guatemala Sanctions Until 13 January 2027
Summary
The Council of the EU renewed targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities undermining democracy and rule of law in Guatemala until 13 January 2027. The sanctions currently apply to 8 individuals and 1 entity, imposing travel bans, asset freezes, and prohibitions on making funds available to listed parties. These measures support Guatemala's democratic transition following the 2023 general election.
What changed
The EU Council extended targeted restrictive measures against Guatemala for one year, now effective until 13 January 2027. The sanctions regime applies to 8 individuals and 1 entity responsible for undermining democracy, rule of law, or peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala. Listed parties face travel restrictions preventing entry into EU member states, asset freezes, and prohibitions on EU persons and companies making funds available to them.
Affected parties include individuals and entities dealing with listed persons, EU nationals and companies conducting business with or providing services to listed parties, and financial institutions processing transactions involving listed entities. All EU persons and companies must ensure compliance with asset freeze and fund prohibition obligations to avoid potential criminal liability.
What to do next
- Identify if any listed parties are counterparties or related to business operations
- Update sanctions compliance screening systems with renewed listing dates
- Report any assets or transactions involving listed parties to competent authorities
Penalties
Non-compliance with asset freezes and fund prohibitions may constitute a criminal offence under national law implementing EU regulations.
Archived snapshot
Apr 10, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
- Council of the EU
- Press release
- 9 January 2026 10:40
Guatemala: Council prolongs restrictive measures by a year
The Council today renewed the targeted restrictive measures imposed by the EU against those responsible for actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala for one year, until 13 January 2027.
Currently, these EU restrictive measures apply to eight individuals and one entity. The listed individuals are subject to travel restrictions preventing them from entering or transiting through EU member states. Both the individuals and the listed entity are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them both directly and indirectly.
These targeted sanctions are designed to strictly affect only those responsible for, engaging in, providing support for, or benefitting from actions that undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala. They are in no way sanctions against Guatemala, its population or its economy.
The EU and Guatemala have a long-standing partnership, and the EU remains committed to supporting democracy and human rights in the country. The deployment of an EU Election Observation Mission in 2023, the EU’s clear position in defence of the election results, its support for good governance, and these targeted sanctions are all part of this effort.
The EU will continue to work with the Guatemalan government and all sectors of society to support a positive national agenda and to invest in inclusive and sustainable development for the benefit of all. As part of its commitment, the EU mobilised an Ad Hoc Mission to accompany in 2026 the selection and appointment processes for three important institutions (Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Constitutional Court and Attorney General), which all play a key role in upholding the rule of law and democracy in the country.
Background
On 12 January 2024, the EU adopted a dedicated framework for restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala to support the democratic transition and the will of the Guatemalan people as expressed in their choice of the democratically elected government, and to target those undermining democracy and the rule of law or obstructing the democratic transition following the 2023 general election.
The first set of five listings was agreed in February 2024, followed by the listing of three additional individuals and one entity for undermining democracy, the rule of law and the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala in June 2025.
- Consolidated text: Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/254 of 12 January 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala (12 June 2025)
- Consolidated text: Council Regulation (EU) 2024/287 of 12 January 2024 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Guatemala (12 June 2025)
- Guatemala: Council sanctions three individuals and one entity for undermining democracy and the rule of law (press release, 12 June 2025)
- EU Delegation to Guatemala (EEAS)
Press contacts
- Maria Daniela Lenzu Press officer
- +32 470 88 04 02
- +32 2 281 21 46
- @daniela_lenzu If you are not a journalist, please send your request to the public information service.
Topics
- Foreign affairs
- Americas
- Sanctions
- Download as pdf
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