From 9 to 11 February 2026, Club de Madrid and the Institute for Climate, Democracy and Inclusion (CDI) (led by former President of Costa Rica and Club de Madrid Member, Carlos Alvarado Quesada) will carry out a high-level mission to Guatemala aimed at supporting key institutional processes that will shape the country’s democratic future. Our Members Kjell Magne Bondevik and Stefan Löfven are included on the mission.
In 2026, Guatemala will undergo crucial selection processes for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, the Constitutional Court, and the appointment of the next Attorney General, among others. These processes are critical ahead of the 2027 general elections and represent a key opportunity to strengthen judicial independence, institutional integrity, transparency, and public trust after years marked by risks of political interference and institutional capture. See 2026 political calendar https://www.plazapublica.com.gt/sites/default/files/calendario_politico_2026-pzp.pdf
During the mission, the delegation has begun an intensive agenda of meetings with President Bernardo Arévalo de León, members of Congress, justice-sector actors, international organisations, civil society representatives, indigenous authorities, journalists, and citizen oversight initiatives. The mission also included a press conference at the start of the visit.
As part of its observation work, the delegation met with journalist José Rubén Zamora, founder of elPeriódico de Guatemala, who has been imprisoned for nearly four years in proceedings questioned by international organisations and widely regarded as a symbol of the deterioration of press freedom in the country. The Members also met with indigenous leaders Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, who participated in the peaceful 2023 mobilisations in defence of democracy and electoral results and who remain in prolonged pretrial detention. Listening to, accompanying, and giving visibility to these voices is an essential component of the mission.
Beyond institutional processes, Club de Madrid supports environmental human rights defenders, gender equality, and inclusive political participation, including Guatemala’s path towards the Escazú Agreement and legislation addressing political violence against women.
Through this mission, Club de Madrid reaffirms its commitment to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression, and international accompaniment at pivotal moments, supporting open, transparent, merit-based, and independent institutional processes in Guatemala.
