24 July 2025
In 2026, Guatemala will experience a decisive moment for the strengthening of its democracy and the rule of law. During the first half of 2026, judges will be elected for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), for the Constitutional Court (CC), and the appointments of the next Attorney General and Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP).
These election processes represent an opportunity to reclaim the justice and electoral systems, which in recent years have been co-opted by powerful groups and corruption networks pursuing their own interests. It is essential that these processes be carried out objectively and transparently, and that the positions be filled by individuals who are honest, capable, and independent—able to uphold the rule of law and the country’s democratic system.
In recent election processes for judges of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), the Constitutional Court (CC), and the Attorney General of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, serious irregularities have been observed that have called into question the legitimacy and credibility of the processes and have compromised the independence of the country’s democratic institutions. These irregularities in the election processes not only compromise the independence of the country’s justice and political systems but also generate public distrust regarding the impartiality of the institutions responsible for guaranteeing and protecting citizens’ rights. In this regard, national and international oversight is essential to ensure that these processes are carried out in an objective, public, and transparent manner, based on the merits of the candidates and free from external influences, to strengthen justice and democracy in Guatemala.
Read more in our bulletin (available in English and Spanish) and learn about the election process for each of these institutions, including key dates, the actors involved in each election, the risks, and the importance of national and international observation.
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