Guatemala

Annual inflation rose to 4.69% in September from 3.37% in August and 2.70% in July, with a monthly increase of 1.18%; transport and food were the main drivers. This is above the 4% centre of the target for the first time in almost three years, so entrants should expect quicker increases in local input and wage costs.

Prensa Libre / Banco de Guatemala · 2026-10-07

On 23 September the Monetary Board voted unanimously to keep the policy rate at 3.50%, where it has been since a cut in February, and a new central bank leadership took office on 1 October. The quetzal stayed stable at about Q7.63 per US dollar in late September, so financing and currency conditions have not changed, but the new board's first view of the higher inflation is still to come.

Banco de Guatemala; IberoNews · 2026-09-29

Congress passed Decree 22-2026 on 22 September with 148 votes and none against. It suspends VAT and the fuel distribution tax (IDP) on gasoline, diesel and gas oil from 1 October to 31 December 2026, cutting up to Q9.41 per gallon from premium gasoline. This lowers transport and logistics costs this quarter but reduces tax revenue, and the taxes come back automatically on 1 January 2027.

Carrillo & Asociados; Congreso de la República · 2026-09-30

On 22 September, prosecutors from nine US federal districts met President Arévalo, the Attorney General and the Interior Minister in Guatemala City to widen joint work against cartels, money laundering and drug money in politics. For entrants this points to tighter anti-money-laundering and counterparty checks, which fits with the OFAC and EU sanctions listings already flagged for Guatemala.

The Rio Times · 2026-09-22

Security is still an operating risk. On 28 September seven people died in an incident that officials denied was a raid on a trafficker wanted by the US. Earlier in 2026, after gang prison riots, the government imposed a state of siege from January to February, followed by a lighter state of prevention.

The Rio Times · 2026-09-28

At its industrial congress on 11 September, Guatemala's Chamber of Industry named energy, infrastructure, artificial intelligence and legal certainty as the priorities for attracting investment. Domestic business groups describe these same weaknesses as limits on the operating environment.

Infobae · 2026-09-13