Guatemala’s Struggle with Corruption, Organized Crime, and State Fragility

Historical Context

Guatemala has been plagued by a prolonged period of colonization, dispossession, and violence. This history continues to shape the country’s politics and economy.

• The 20th century was marked by failed state institution-building, a strong military power, and a decade-long transition from civil war to peace.
• This led to idle security apparatuses that were diverted into criminal activities.

Security and Justice Institutions

Reforms implemented after the civil conflict have failed due to infiltration of remnant security structures into civil institutions. The country’s physical and legal insecurity is characterized by high homicide rates (90 per 100,000) and impunity for violent crimes (98%).

• Over two-thirds of adult males carry firearms.
• The security situation remains fragile.

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking has represented the most powerful form of organized crime in Guatemala. This network plays a significant role in the global trade:

• Roughly 90% of cocaine consumed in the United States transits through Guatemala.
• Police groups have been known to steal drug shipments and sell them to the highest bidder at the Guatemala-Mexico border.

Corruption

Corruption has become more complex during the period of democratization. State institutions have neglected internal processes of organization and management, leading to damage in social legitimacy:

• Traditional business groups lobby against regulatory intervention in the market and strengthening the attorney general.
• The country’s public expenditure is distorted.

Emergence of CIACS

After the mid-1980s, corrupt criminal networks emerged during Guatemala’s civil war. These networks were formed by senior officers and mid-ranking elements of the security forces who partnered with the rising aristocratic business class:

• Outcomes varied, with some controlling large estates or becoming minority shareholders in companies.
• The formation of these networks marked a significant shift in the country’s organized crime landscape.

This text highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of Guatemala’s struggles with corruption, organized crime, and state fragility.