Guatemala

Guatemalan inmates riot at three prisons, taking 46 people hostage

Inmates, some wearing jumpsuits but most in tank tops and shorts, their faces covered by masks improvised with pieces of clothing, watched from above, perched in the prison's patrol towers.

An inmate looks out from a security tower at the Renovacion 1 prison, as inmates at three Guatemalan prisons rioted on Saturday and took mostly prison guards hostage, authorities said, in Escuintla, Guatemala, January 17, 2026.
Elazar Rumpler, a senior leader within haredi cult Lev Tahor, appearing in the Jerusalem District Court for a hearing in 2020; illustrative.

Jerusalem court sends senior Lev Tahor cult leader Elazar Rumpler to prison in child abuse case

Lev Tahor member Yoel Alter, 35, is escorted by Guatemalan police officers after being arrested at court in Guatemala City on January 24, 2025.

Leader of ultra-Orthodox Lev Tahor sect extradited to Mexico, charged with human trafficking

Police officers load the bodies of the victims who died in a road accident onto a truck at Cumbre de Alaska in Totonicapan, Guatemala, on December 27, 2025.

At least 15 dead, 19 injured in Guatemala bus accident


Jewish leaders meet Guatemalan president in support of Jerusalem embassy move

According to pro-Israel NGO Fuente Latina, the meeting was part of a “mission of gratitude and solidarity with Guatemala” comprised of 70 people.

A meeting between the President of Guatemala with a group of leaders from the Mission of Gratitude and Solidarity with Guatemala

FOZ honors Guatemala for Jerusalem embassy decision

Guatemala is honored at the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in Jerusalem as one of the nations that voted for the creation of a Jewish state in the UN General Assembly Partition vote.

Dr. Mike Evans (center) and Ambassador Mattanya Cohen (left) present the Friends of Zion Award to Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, January 18, 2018

Guatemala, Israel and Latin America: More than friends - family

Guatemala made history this week, becoming the second country to announce the decision to return its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

Guatemalan activists wave Israeli flags near the "Plaza of Israel" in the country's capital, 2015

Breaking with consensus: Guatemala recognition gives cause for Israeli optimism

It is only a matter of time before additional countries join Guatemala in recognizing Jerusalem’s status.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they deliver statements to the media during their meeting in Jerusalem, Israel.

Friends of Zion to award heads of state who move embassy to Jerusalem

Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem, has established a massive pro-Israel social network across the globe.

Friends of Zion thank Guatemala and United States for their embassy move.

December 27, 2017: Lorde? Let it pass

Letters

Guatemala breaks the mold, but Jerusalem firewall intact for now

While making inroads, Israel remains a long way off from upending the automatic pro-Palestinian majority at the UN

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales addresses the 72nd United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York, US.

Jordan condemns 'absurd' Guatemala Jerusalem recognition

The decision comes three weeks after US President Trump sparked international furor by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the future site of the US embassy.

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi speaks during a joint news conference

More than 10 countries mulling embassy moves to Jerusalem, says Hotovely

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely’s comments, in an interview on Reshet Bet, came following Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales decision to move the country’s embassy.

The holy city of Jerusalem.

Netanyahu: God bless you, my friend, president Morales

Following in Trump's footsteps, Guatemalan president announced his country plans to move embassy to Jerusalem.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they deliver statements to the media during their meeting in Jerusalem, Israel.