Armed Forces of Guatemala

The Guatemalan Armed Forces (Spanish: Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala) consists of the National Army of Guatemala (Ejercito Nacional de Guatemala, ENG), the Guatemalan National Defense Navy (Marina de la Defensa Nacional, includes Marines), the Guatemalan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Guatemalteca, FAG), and the Presidential Honor Guard (Guardia de Honor Presidencial).

Armed Forces of Guatemala
Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala (Spanish)
Seal of the Ministry of Defence
Service branches
Leadership
Commander-in-Chief Alejandro Giammattei
Minister of National Defence Henry Reyes Chigua
Chief of the General Staff William Arnulfo López
Personnel
Military age18
Active personnel106,114
Reserve personnel90,000
Expenditures
BudgetUSD $120 million (FY99)
Percent of GDP0.6% (FY99)
Related articles
RanksMilitary ranks of Guatemala

The Ministry of National Defence is the agency of the Guatemalan government responsible for the budget, training and policy of the armed forces. Based in Guatemala City, the Defence Ministry is heavily guarded, and the President of Guatemala frequently visits. As of 2021 the Minister of National Defence is General Henry Yovani Reyes Chigua.[1]

The Minister of Defense is responsible for policy. Day-to-day operations are the responsibility of the military chief of staff and the national defense staff.

History

Guatemala is a signatory to the Rio Pact and was a member of the Central American Defense Council (CONDECA). The President of the Republic is commander-in-chief.

Prior to 1945 the Defence Ministry was titled the Secretariat of War (Secretaría de la Guerra).

An agreement signed in September 1996, which is one of the substantive peace accords, mandated that the mission of the armed forces change to focus exclusively on external threats.[2] Presidents Álvaro Arzú and his successors Alfonso Portillo, Óscar Berger and Álvaro Colom, have used a constitutional clause to order the army on a temporary basis to support the police in response to a nationwide wave of violent crime, a product of the Mexican criminal organizations going across the north-west region.

The peace accords call for a one-third reduction in the army's authorized strength and budget — achieved in 2004 — and for a constitutional amendment to permit the appointment of a civilian minister of defense. A constitutional amendment to this end was defeated as part of a May 1999 plebiscite, but discussions between the executive and legislative branches continue on how to achieve this objective.

In 2004 the army has gone beyond its accord-mandated target, and has implemented troop reductions from an estimated 28,000 to 15,500 troops,[3] including subordinate air force (1,000) and navy (1,000) elements. It is equipped with armaments and material from the United States, Israel, Taiwan, Argentina, Spain, and France. As part of the army downsizing, the operational structure of 19 military zones and three strategic brigades are being recast as several military zones are eliminated and their area of operations absorbed by others. The air force operates three air bases; the navy has two port bases.[4]

The Guatemalan army has a special forces unit (specializing in anti-insurgent jungle warfare) known as the Kaibiles. In 2011, a Guatemalan court convicted four members of the Kaibiles, of killing more than 200 civilians in the Dos Erres massacre in 1982.[5] Each man was sentenced to 6,050 years in prison. Their convictions for their roles in the massacre nearly 30 years prior, in which soldiers killed more than 200 men, women, and children, would not have happened if not for the courage of victims of violence and Guatemala's attorney general, Claudia Paz y Paz. After the convictions of the Dos Erres four, based on a Guatemalan government's commitment to reorganize its special forces units, the U.S. Department of Defense resumed military aid.

Armed Forces Day

The Día del Ejército (Army Day or Armed Forces Day) is celebrated on 30 June, although if it occurs on a Tuesday or Wednesday it is celebrated on the prior Monday, and if it occurs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday it moves to the following Monday.[6]

Organization

The Armed Forces today number at around 39,000 active personnel.

Leadership
Main article: Chief of the General Staff (Guatemala)

Army

The Army or Land Forces are the oldest military branch of the armed forces. In the middle of the 19th century, General Rafael Carrera promoted it with the triumph in the Battle of San José La Arada, dated to 2 February 1851, a date that is today commemorated as the day of this branch.

Members of the Navy

The Navy was founded on 15 January 1959, by the then President Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes, due to the need to protect the country's marine resources, which at the time were the object of illegal predation by fishing boats from neighboring countries. It is a state entity with functions as a police agency for seas and rivers.

Air Force
Main article: Guatemalan Air Force

The Guatemalan Air Force (Spanish: Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca; FAG) constitutes the aviation portion of the Guatemalan Army. Founded in 1921, it is organized, equipped and trained to plan, conduct and execute the actions imposed by the State Military Defense in relation to the use of air power.

Honor Guard

The Presidential Honor Guard of Guatemala is a branch of the Guatemalan Land Forces, responsible for the care and protection of the President of the Republic, as well as the Vice President.

Equipment

Small arms
Name Image Caliber Type Origin Notes
Pistols
M1911[7][8] .45 ACP Semi-automatic pistol  United States
Browning Hi-Power[8] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  Belgium
Beretta 92[8] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  Italy
Walther P38[8] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  Nazi Germany
Glock 19[8] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol  Austria
SIG Sauer P226[8] 9×19mm Semi-automatic pistol   Switzerland
Submachine guns
Uzi[8][9] 9×19mm Submachine gun  Israel
FMK-3 9×19mm Submachine gun  Argentina
MAC-10[8] 9×19mm Submachine gun  United States
MAC-11[10] 9×19mm Submachine gun  United States
M3 Grease Gun[8] 9×19mm Submachine gun  United States M3 and M3A1
Beretta M12[11] 9×19mm Submachine gun  Italy
FN P90[12] FN 5.7×28mm Submachine gun
Personal defense weapon		  Belgium
Rifles
AKM[13] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Soviet Union
AKS-74U 5.45×39mm Carbine
Assault rifle		  Soviet Union
Samopal vz.58[14] 7.62×39mm Assault rifle  Czechoslovak Socialist Republic
IMI Galil[15] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Israel
IWI Galil ACE[16] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Israel
Galil Córdova[17][18] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Colombia
IWI Tavor[19] 5.56×45mm Bullpup
Assault rifle		  Israel
M16[20] 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  United States
M4 5.56×45mm Carbine
Assault rifle		  United States
T65 5.56×45mm Assault rifle  Taiwan
ArmaLite AR-10[21] 7.62×51mm Battle rifle  United States
Machine guns
Daewoo K3[22] 5.56×45mm Light machine gun  South Korea
Browning M1919[8] 7.62×51mm Medium machine gun  United States
Browning M2[8] .50 BMG Heavy machine gun  United States
FN MAG[8] 7.62×51mm General-purpose machine gun  Belgium
Sniper and anti-materiel rifles
Barrett M82 .50 BMG Anti-materiel rifle  United States
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
M20 Super Bazooka[23] 60mm Rocket-propelled grenade  United States
Grenade launchers
M203[8] 40×46mm SR Grenade launcher  United States
M79[8] 40×46mm Grenade launcher  United States

Anti-tank weapons
Name Image Type Origin Caliber Notes
M40A1[24] Recoilless rifle  United States 105mm 56 in service.
M-1968[25] Recoilless rifle  Argentina 105mm 64 in service.

Tanks
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
M41 Walker Bulldog Light tank  United States 10[26][27] INS

Reconnaissance
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
RBY Mk 1 Reconnaissance vehicle  Israel 10[27] INS
M8 Greyhound Armored car  United States 12[28] INS

Armored personnel carriers
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
M113 Armored personnel carrier  United States 10[29] INS
Cadillac Gage Commando Armored personnel carrier  United States 7[30] INS
Armadillo Armored personnel carrier  Guatemala 30[31]

Utility vehicles
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
AIL Abir Utility vehicle  Israel 20 INS
M151[32] Utility vehicle  United States Unknown INS
Trucks
M35[32] Utility truck  United States Unknown INS
M54[32] Utility truck  United States Unknown INS
Ural-4320 Utility truck  Russia 3 INS
Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer Utility truck   Switzerland Unknown INS

Artillery
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Mortars
M224 Mortar  United States 625 INS
Field artillery
M-56[33] Howitzer  Yugoslavia 26 INS
M101 Howitzer  United States 24[24] INS

Air defence systems
Name Image Type Origin Quantity Status Notes
Bofors L/60[34] Autocannon  Sweden Unknown INS
Blowpipe MANPADS  United Kingdom 82 launchers. INS

Notable military personnel

References
  1. "Alto Mando del Ejército de Guatemala" (in Spanish). Ejército de Guatemala. Archived from the original on 2013-12-31. Retrieved 2014-01-07.
  2. "Agreement on the Strengthening of Civilian Power and on the Role of the Armed Forces in a Democratic Society: Guatemala: Peace Agreements: Library and Links: U.S. Institute of Peace". Archived from the original on 2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  3. "Cancelarán 12 mil 109 plazas en el Ejército". Prensa Libre. April 2, 2004. Archived from the original on July 10, 2007.
  4. "Background Note: Guatemala". Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, US Department of State. February 2009.
  5. Center for International Policy, Security Assistance Monitor
  6. "Así quedarán los feriados en Guatemala para el 2020 – Prensa Libre" (in Spanish). Prensa Libre. 28 Apr 2020. Retrieved Sep 16, 2020.
  7. "Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories". Federation of American Scientists. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2012. Citing Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V., eds. (1995). Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1995–1996 (21st ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710612410. OCLC 32569399.
  8. Jones, Richard (2009). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010. Jane's Information Group. pp. 896, 897, 899. ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  9. Diez, Octavio (2000). Hand Guns (in Arabic). Barcelona: Lema Publications. ISBN 84-8463-013-7. OCLC 44059526. Archived from the original on 2014-09-16. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  10. "wiw_sa_guatemala - worldinventory". 2016-11-24. Archived from the original on 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
  11. Gander, Jerry (2002). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003. Jane's Information Group. pp. 214, 899–906. ISBN 0-7106-2434-4.
  12. Quinto, Ricardo (May 3, 2009). "Advierten Sobre Compra de Armas" (PDF). Prensa Libre (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 16, 2009. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  13. World Armies (2011-12-06). "Guatemalan Special Forces". flicker.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
  14. "Czechpoint - History of the Sa vz. 58 - History of the Sa vz. 58 rifle". Czechpoint-usa.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2010-09-04.
  15. Haapiseva-Hunter, Jane (1999). Israeli foreign policy: South Africa and Central America. South End Press. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-89608-285-4.
  16. Johnson, Steve (16 February 2011). "IWI Galil ACE rifle adopted by Guatemala National Civil Police". The Firearm Blog.
  17. "Guatemala compró 8000 fusiles 'Galil Cordova' a Indumil, por más de 10 millones de dólares". Webinfomil (in Spanish). 2019-09-20. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  18. "Galile dla Gwatemali". 27 September 2019.
  19. "Agentes todavía no saben utilizar fusiles comprados por el Gobierno". Elperiodico.com.gt. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-08-31.
  20. "Report: Profiling the Small Arms Industry – World Policy Institute – Research Project". World Policy Institute. November 2000. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2010.
  21. Pikula, page 45
  22. "[현장르포] 30년만에 무분규 임금타결 S&T대우". Archived from the original on 2013-12-18. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
  23. Gander, Terry J.; Cutshaw, Charles Q., eds. (2001). Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 (27th ed.). Coulsdon: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710623171.
  24. Military Balance 2016, p. 399.
  25. "Armamento argentino olvidado por la historia en Centro América". Desarrollo y Defensa (in Spanish). 30 June 2015.
  26. Foss, Christopher F. (2005). Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006. London: Jane's Information Group. pp. 186–194. ISBN 978-0-7106-2686-8.
  27. "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2013-06-20.
  28. Zaloga, Steve (2002). M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car. Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-468-X.
  29. The Military Balance. International Institute for Strategic Studies. 2022. ISBN 978-1-032-27900-8.
  30. "SIPRI arms transfer database". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  31. "HISTORY OF THE ARMADILLO". www.army-guide.com. Retrieved 2017-03-19.
  32. "Annex C Appendix II". US Army Technical Manual of Foreign Military Sales: Battlefield Damage Assessment and Repair (PDF). Washington, D.C. 18 December 1987. p. 262. TM 9-2320-356-BD. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  33. Foss, Christopher F. (1998). "105 mm howitzer M56". Jane's Armour and Artillery (19 ed.). Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0710617903.
  34. "Bofors 40mm (Series) Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun / Air Defense Gun - Sweden". www.militaryfactory.com. Military Factory. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.

Work cited
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