Guatemala

The Carter Center's efforts to help build healthier lives in Guatemala have made the Center a trusted resource for the nation as it struggles to preserve human rights and hold free and fair elections.

The recent history of Guatemala is fraught with the effects of a 36-year civil war that ended in 1996. During the conflict, 200,000 people were murdered or disappeared. The Carter Center has viewed Guatemala's human rights record with great concern and welcomed the nation's invitation to observe the 2003 presidential elections. The Center also assists Guatemalans in their fight against the suffering caused by river blindness. Together, Guatemala and The Carter Center are building hope for a stronger, healthier, more peaceful nation.

Waging Peace

A small Carter Center delegation observed Guatemala's 2003 electoral process, focusing on human rights and campaign finance issues relevant to the presidential, legislative, and mayoral elections. The Center's election project sought to heighten domestic and international attention to a broad range of issues, including concerns about voters' access to the polls, access to the media and public resources for all political parties, and significant pre-electoral intimidation and violence. In addition, Center observers examined the broader human rights environment, such as the lack of accountability for past and present abuses, persistent attacks against human rights defenders, and systemic discrimination against the indigenous population.

Read full text on the Carter Center's peace work in Guatemala >

Fighting Disease

Latin America has made great strides to control river blindness, so that now, provided treatment and health education initiatives continue, permanent blindness from the disease is no longer a threat. Yet, until two decades ago, those who suffered from this painful and devastating disease had no hope for treatment.

Read full text on the Carter Center's health work in Guatemala >