Civil unrest in Guatemala October 2023 has left thousands of tourists and travelers stranded across the country due to a network of road blocks, cancellations of flights, demonstrations, and protests by supporters of a political party — that is in favor of reform — which was suspended due to potential election fraud in advance of a major run-off election, resulting in turmoil and chaos. If Guatemala is in your travel plans over the next few days, you may want to consider delaying your travel — or, at least, keep yourself updated as to the latest information pertaining to civil unrest in that country.
Civil Unrest in Guatemala: October 2023 Travel Alert
This statement is from the official Internet web site of the United States Embassy in Guatemala:
The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of ongoing peaceful demonstrations and roadblocks throughout Guatemala. The demonstrations and roadblocks may prevent your ability to travel throughout Guatemala. We do not know when the demonstrations or roadblocks may cease. If they continue, you may need to postpone in-country travel or reschedule your flight. We recommend that you remain in a safe place, avoid affected areas, and do not seek to travel toward or through them. For the most up-to-date information about locations of roadblocks, please consult PROVIAL’s (Dirección General de Protección y Seguridad Vial) website .
The U.S. Embassy remains open and operational but has canceled all appointments for American Citizens Services (ACS) (e.g., passports, CRBAs, and notarials) and visas (immigrant and nonimmigrant) on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. The U.S. Embassy has also requested that all non-essential official travel to Guatemala be deferred for the immediate future. We remain open for ACS emergencies. Please contact AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov if you are a U.S. citizen who needs an urgent appointment. To reschedule a passport or notarial appointment, please go here. The ACS unit will contact CRBA appointment holders to reschedule their appointments. Visa appointment holders will be notified via their profile email address of instructions for rescheduling appointments.
Please be advised that in an emergency, U.S. Embassy personnel are not first responders. If you need emergency assistance, Guatemala has a dedicated tourism assistance program (called PROATUR) whose sole mission is to assist and protect foreign tourists in Guatemala. Their emergency assistance call center – staffed with Spanish and English speakers – may be contacted 24/7 by calling 1500 from a Guatemalan phone number or (502) 2290-2810. You may also contact PROATUR by WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819. Note, however, that as long as there remain roadblocks, PROATUR staff also may not be able to travel through affected areas and would likely only be able to provide assistance once the road is clear.
Many U.S. citizens have inquired as to whether they should travel to Guatemala or when or whether they should depart Guatemala. Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport remains open at this time. Deciding whether to travel to or depart Guatemala is a personal decision. The U.S. Embassy continually assesses travel conditions in Guatemala and regularly updates our travel advisories and safety information for U.S. citizen travelers. For entry and exit, safety and security, and other relevant travel information about Guatemala, please go here. The Guatemala Travel Advisory is located here. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) also maintains a country security report on Guatemala here. The U.S. Embassy is not otherwise permitted to advise individuals whether to travel to Guatemala or to provide individualized risk assessments. At this time, the U.S. Embassy is not requesting or recommending that U.S. citizens self-evacuate.
As always, the timing, size, and duration of planned demonstrations and roadblocks can change. Demonstrations can grow quickly in size and often move from one location to another, thus potentially disrupting movement. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens be aware and vigilant, avoiding protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks, when possible.
Actions to Take:
- Review your personal security plans and remain aware of your surroundings, including local events.
- Ensure adequate supplies of critical medicines, food, and water.
- Monitor local news for updates.
- Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities.
- Avoid affected areas and exercise caution.
A Level 3 travel advisory for Guatemala was issued back on Monday, July 17, 2023 by the Bureau of Consular affairs, which is a division of the Department of State of the United States — specifically to reconsider travel to Guatemala due to crime. Some areas have increased risk.
Do not travel to the following areas of Guatemala, which are under a Level 4 travel advisory due to crime:
- San Marcos Department — except the city of San Marcos
- Huehuetenango Department — except the city of Huehuetenango
- Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City
Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations
If you are traveling to, from, or within Guatemala over the next few days, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the civil unrest which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.
If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary. If you are driving in any of these areas, watch out for deteriorating conditions and traffic problems.
Here are five airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of this civil unrest:
- American Airlines has issued a travel alert for Guatemala City for Monday, October 9, 2023 through Friday, October 13, 2023; and Thursday, October 19, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Delta Air Lines has issued a travel alert for Guatemala City for Tuesday, October 10, 2023 through Friday, October 13, 2023; and Tuesday, October 17, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- United Airlines has issued a travel alert for Guatemala City for Sunday, October 8, 2023 through Thursday, October 12, 2023; and Tuesday, October 17, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Spirit Airlines has issued a travel alert for Guatemala City for Monday, October 9, 2023 through Thursday, October 12, 2023; and Tuesday, October 17, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
- Aeromexico has issued a travel alert for Guatemala City for Monday, October 9, 2023 through Thursday, October 12, 2023; and Friday, October 20, 2023 is the last day on which tickets must be reissued and rebooked travel must begin.
Final Boarding Call
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.
Source: Google Maps — Imagery ©2023 TerraMetrics; map data ©2023 INEGI.
