Guatemala’s strategic location places it at the center of regional migration dynamics. The country serves simultaneously as a point of origin, transit, destination, and return, creating complex challenges and opportunities for national systems and humanitarian actors. In recent years, Guatemala has emerged as a key destination for asylum-seekers, particularly from Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, with applications steadily increasing. These overlapping roles demand coordinated efforts to strengthen protection mechanisms, expand access to services, and promote durable solutions that allow refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), stateless individuals, and others with international protection needs to fully integrate and enjoy equal access to rights, services, and opportunities.

To achieve this vision, UNHCR supports the strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks, asylum procedures, and carries out advocacy to ensure effective access to legal assistance and protection services for the most vulnerable groups. It also promotes economic empowerment by increasing access to livelihoods, vocational training, and financial services, and by forging strategic partnerships with the private sector, development institutions, and other key actors. These efforts enable displaced populations to contribute to and benefit from Guatemala’s economy.

Guatemala advanced regional commitments through MIRPS, the Quito Process, and pledges at the Global Refugee Forum. UNHCR complements these efforts by building institutional capacity and promoting durable solutions that uphold dignity, rights, and resilience for all.