Guatemala

Polyethylene bags are used to protect bananas from pests and blight on a plantation in Costa Rica.

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today

About a hundred years ago, the Boston-based banana company, United Fruit, reigned supreme in Central America. It didn’t just own banana plantations, but also railroads and telephone lines. The company even dictated national policies and overthrew governments. For his podcast “Under the Shadow,” about US involvement in Central America, Michael Fox traveled to Guatemala, where he looked at the legacy of United Fruit and its impact on the global fruit industry today.

The shadow of the United Fruit Company still reaches across the globe today
Bernardo Arévalo ran on an anti-corruption campaign to become president.

‘We want to eradicate corruption’: Guatemala’s new president makes promises that stir hope — and impatience

‘We want to eradicate corruption’: Guatemala’s new president makes promises that stir hope — and impatience
Guatemala's president-elect, Bernardo Arévalo leaves at the end of a press conference in the Plaza of Human Rights in Guatemala City, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

Guatemala's newly elected president faces legal challenges

Guatemala's newly elected president faces legal challenges
people in line with signs

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 

Victims of Guatemalan military seek justice for war crimes 
A police officer searches and checks the documents of a man living in the Kiwanis Community, during a preventive patrol in search of gang members in Soyapango, El Salvador, Aug. 16, 2022, amid a state of exception.

El Salvador imprisons dozens of foreign visitors in crackdown on crime

El Salvador imprisons dozens of foreign visitors in crackdown on crime
volcano

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala

​​​​​​​The El Fuego volcano in Guatemala spewed lava and ash over part of the country last week. Thousands evacuated the area, and many more were exposed to dangerous ash. 

El Fuego volcano erupts in Guatemala
A decorated street carpet known as an alfombra created for Holy Week in Antigua, Guatemala.

Guatemalans commemorate Holy Week with colorful street carpets

During Holy Week in Guatemala, many people participate in the tradition of creating elaborate alfombra, or colorful flower carpets made out of sawdust on the streets for processions to pass over.

Guatemalans commemorate Holy Week with colorful street carpets
At a playground in San Francisco, Deisy Ramírez reflects on how she found safety here after fleeing captivity in Guatemala

For immigrants fleeing gender-based violence, it’s a long road to asylum in the US

Thousands of people are pursuing protection from gender-based violence in a US asylum system that was gutted during the presidency of Donald Trump and has been only partially restored by President Joe Biden. Deisy Ramírez was one of them, trying to escape an abusive, forced marriage in Guatemala.

For immigrants fleeing gender-based violence, it’s a long road to asylum in the US
Honduran migrants Bianca Emerita Galvan, 22, left, and Dani Omar Suazo, 21, holding their son 1-year-old sone Daniel Emir, arrive at El Ceibo, Guatemala, Aug. 12, 2021, after being deported by air from the US to Mexico and then shipped into Guatemala by l

Mexico expels Central American migrants to rural Guatemala

Mexico is forcing hundreds of migrants to the small border outpost of El Ceibo, Guatemala. Many are would-be asylum-seekers in the US.

Mexico expels Central American migrants to rural Guatemala
Mayan stone ruins in a field of foliage

Scientists turn to the ancient Mayans for lessons on sustainability

Lisa Lucero, an anthropology professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and an expert on Mayan civilization, discussed her findings with The World's host Marco Werman.

Scientists turn to the ancient Mayans for lessons on sustainability
A box containing stacks of cash with a 50 note stack from New Zealand on top

Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting

Global operation by Australia and the American FBI leads to the arrest of more than 800 suspected criminals. And the Nigerian government bans Twitter after the platform deleted a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari. Also, a man in a pickup truck rams into a Muslim immigrant family in Canada on the street, killing four people.

Hundreds arrested in massive global crime sting
Harris at the podium in Guatemala on a diplomatic visit

Addressing migration requires long-term commitment, says analyst on Harris visit to Guatemala

About $13 billion are squandered as a result of corruption in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, says Adriana Beltran, an analyst with The Washington Office on Latin America.

Addressing migration requires long-term commitment, says analyst on Harris visit to Guatemala
In this Oct. 30, 2020, file photo, Mark Andollina, left, and Shane Holder, remove part of a roof damaged by Hurricane Zeta

Hurricane season arrives early this year. Are authorities prepared?

Emergency management specialists are bracing for an early — and intense — hurricane season. 

Hurricane season arrives early this year. Are authorities prepared?
A pregnant person wearing a red shirt holds her belly, wearing a face mask and gloves.

For pregnant women, getting the COVID-19 jab is a challenging choice

Information on vaccines for pregnant women differs, depending on the country. Making the choice to get the shot while pregnant can get complicated, explains Valerie Fernández, who faced the decision herself in Arizona.

For pregnant women, getting the COVID-19 jab is a challenging choice
Huge green pipes on sandy ground against a dark blue sky

Latin American and Caribbean countries use volcanic landscapes to tap geothermal energy

Global capacity for geothermal energy has nearly doubled over the past two decades.

Latin American and Caribbean countries use volcanic landscapes to tap geothermal energy