Stories from Guatemala

The second leg matches for the Liga Nacional Torneo Clausura quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday, May 2nd, and Sunday, May 3rd. On Saturday, Mixco will play Guastatoya at 3 PM, and Comunicaciones will face Antigua at 6 PM. Sunday's matches include Municipal vs. Guastatoya at 4:30 PM, and Xelajú vs. Marquense at 7 PM. The first leg matches are set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Cobán Imperial will play Deportivo Misco at Estadio Verapaz on Wednesday at 3 PM.

A new highway is set to open in the southern region of Guatemala.

The Bank of Guatemala will conduct surveys on economic and construction activity throughout 2026. The collected data will be used to compile national accounts and the country's balance of payments. This initiative is part of updating the base year for the national accounts system. Representatives conducting the surveys will be properly identified.

A recent ruling by the Court of Constitutionality has been publicly denounced as disproportionate interference in second-round elections. This ruling pertains to the selection process for the next Attorney General, a list of six candidates from which the president will choose. A professional amparo has significantly altered the election process for the Republic's fiscal. This delicate action by magistrates could change the direction of the election. The implications are being closely analyzed, drawing comparisons to electoral processes in Mexico. A Guatemalan court could potentially review actions taken by the president, particularly concerning congressional matters. The selection process for a court nomination was based solely on candidates exceeding a specific cut-off score. Following a review, only Consuelo Porras remained above this score and was subsequently appointed.

The Superintendency of Banks in Guatemala has renewed its website to improve accessibility to financial information. Users can now more easily access credit history, daily exchange rates, financial system data, and financial education courses.

There are no current demonstrations or gatherings within Guatemala City. Travelers are recommended to anticipate delays. Scheduled demonstrations and road blockades are set to begin at 6:00 AM across multiple Guatemalan departments. Blockades are active at kilometer 108 on the road to El Salvador near Zada Jutiapa. A second blockade is located at kilometer 113 on the route to the Pacific in the jurisdiction of Coccal, Espatulun, Suchi, and Tepeques. The report was issued at 8:46 AM. Groups of military veterans are maintaining blockades at six different points across Guatemala. The report from Proviá indicates these blockades have been in effect since this morning. No specific motives or locations for the blockades were provided in the report. Road blockades are obstructing passage at various points across Guatemala, according to Jexpor.

A large anticyclone is bringing very warm air and clear skies to Guatemala. A heatwave is forecast for the entire week across much of the country. The northern and eastern regions of Guatemala are expected to experience very hot temperatures.

In Guatemalan football, Misco is set to play Cobán. Misco has the advantage of playing the second leg at home. There is speculation that Marquense could cause an upset by eliminating the current classification phase winner. Marquense and Cobán have a historical rivalry dating back to 2007.

A traffic dispute escalated into a fatal gunfight in Guatemala, resulting in two deaths and one serious injury. The incident occurred after a vehicular congestion led to an argument between drivers. One deceased individual was approximately 69 years old, while the other victim was a 21-year-old woman who later died from gunshot wounds. Authorities seized four pistols, one carbine, and eight magazines from the scene. The incident resulted in an exchange of gunfire between involved parties. Details regarding casualties or arrests were not immediately available. The incident resulted in casualties, though the exact number has not been specified. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the violent confrontation.

Large and medium-sized businesses in Guatemala are contributing to state initiatives. This inefficiency is compounded by financial limitations within the state, despite available funds. The Guatemalan state has failed to adequately serve its elderly population, resulting in 56,990 accumulated cases. The nature of these cases and the specific failures are not detailed. Radio La Red Argentina reported that some elderly individuals who submitted applications for assistance have not received help, with some waiting 20 years for aid. The station said that this situation should cause distress to listeners, as it involves public funds. These cases highlight systemic issues in elder care and state responsibility. A speaker expressed concern that the Guatemalan state is not supporting its elderly population and is accumulating cases related to this failure.