Armed Forces of Guatemala

The Guatemalan Armed Forces (Template:Langx) is the unified military organization comprising the Guatemalan Army, Navy, Air Force, and Presidential Honor Guard. The president of Guatemala is the commander-in-chief of the military, and formulates policy, training, and budget through the Minister of Defence. Day-to-day operations are conducted by the Chief of the General 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="US_STATE">Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Center for International Policy, Security Assistance Monitor</ref> 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 Template:Lang (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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Organization

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

Service branches

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.

File:20230901 AI 150 ANIVERSARIO ESCUELA POLITECNICA 9 (2).jpg

Members of the Navy

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

The Guatemalan Air Force (Template:Langx) 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<ref name="FAS">Template:Cite web Citing Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Jones"/>	File:M1911A1.png	.45 ACP	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Browning Hi-Power<ref name="Jones"/>	File:FN Hi Power.jpg	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Beretta 92<ref name="Jones"/>	File:Beretta 92 FS.gif	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Walther P38<ref name="Jones"/>	File:Walther P38N (6825680204).jpg	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Glock 19<ref name="Jones"/>	File:Glock 19 Generation 4-removebg.png	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
SIG Sauer P226<ref name="Jones"/>	File:Pistole SIG Sauer P226 S.jpg	9×19mm	Semi-automatic pistol	Template:Flag
Shotguns
Valtro PM5/350<ref name=":0" />		12 gauge	Shotgun	Template:Flag	Use by Kaibiles; stockless configuration with 350mm barrel
Submachine guns
Uzi<ref name="Jones">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="diez2000">Template:Cite book</ref>	File:Uzi of the israeli armed forces.jpg	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
Mini-Uzi<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Uzi 2.jpg	9×19mm	Submachine gun
FMK-3	File:Pa3dm-fmk3-mod2.jpg	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
MAC-10<ref name="Jones"/>	File:MAC10.jpg	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
M3 Grease Gun<ref name="Jones"/>	File:M3-SMG noBG.png	9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag	M3 and M3A1
Beretta M12<ref name = "Gander">Template:Cite book</ref>		9×19mm	Submachine gun	Template:Flag
Rifles
AKM<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:AKM automatkarbin Ryssland - 7,62x39mm - Armémuseum rightside noBG.png	7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
AKS-74U	File:AKS74U (noBG).jpg	5.45×39mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Samopal vz.58<ref name="czechpoint">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Sa 58-JH01 noBG.png	7.62×39mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
IMI Galil<ref name="Haapiseva-Hunter">Template:Cite book</ref>	File:Galil noBG.png	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
IWI Galil ACE<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:IWI 3686.jpg	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Galil Córdova<ref name="CN">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Galile PL">Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Galil Córdova 13.png	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Tavor CTAR21<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Interpolitex 2011 (405-22).jpg	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag	In use with Kaibiles
M16<ref name=worldpolicy2000>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:M16A2 rightside noBG.jpg	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
Colt 727<ref name=":0" />		5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag	In use with Kaibiles<ref name=":0" />
Colt 733<ref name=":0" />	File:Westdog-lds-m733 001.JPG	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag	In use with Kaibiles<ref name=":0" />
M4	File:PEO M4 Carbine RAS M68 CCO.png	5.56×45mm	Carbine Assault rifle	Template:Flag
T65	File:TwT65.JPG	5.56×45mm	Assault rifle	Template:Flag
ArmaLite AR-10<ref name="Pikula45">Pikula, page 45</ref>	File:AR10 Armalite vue d'ensemble noBG.png	7.62×51mm	Battle rifle	Template:Flag
Machine guns
Daewoo K3<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Daewoo K3 machine gun 1.jpg	5.56×45mm	Light machine gun	Template:Flag
Browning M1919<ref name="Jones"/>	File:Browning M1919a.png	7.62×51mm	Medium machine gun	Template:Flag
Browning M2<ref name="Jones"/>	File:PEO Browning M2E2 QCB (c1).jpg	.50 BMG	Heavy machine gun	Template:Flag
FN MAG<ref name="Jones"/>	File:FN MAG white background.jpg	7.62×51mm	General-purpose machine gun	Template:Flag
Sniper and anti-materiel rifles
Barrett M82	File:Barrett-M82A1-Independence-Day-2017-IZE-048-white.jpg	.50 BMG	Anti-materiel rifle	Template:Flag
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
M20 Super Bazooka<ref name="gander2002">Template:Cite book</ref>	File:M20-bazooka-batey-haosef-1.jpg	60mm	Rocket-propelled grenade	Template:Flag
M7A2 LAW<ref name=":0" />	File:M72A2 LAW.png		Rocket-propelled grenade	Template:Flag
Grenade launchers
M203<ref name="Jones"/>	File:PEO M203A2 Grenade Launcher.png	40×46mm SR	Grenade launcher	Template:Flag
M79<ref name="Jones"/>	File:M79 Grenade Launcher (7414625716).jpg	40×46mm	Grenade launcher	Template:Flag

Anti-tank weapons

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Caliber	Notes
M40A1Template:Sfn	File:Recoilless-rifle-beyt-hatotchan-1.jpg	Recoilless rifle	Template:Flag	105mm	56 in service.
M-1968<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	File:Czekalski cañón sin retroceso.JPG	Recoilless rifle	Template:Flag	105mm	64 in service.

Boats

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Golfo de Tribuga-class landing craft	File:LCU Quetzal (BL-1601).webp	Landing Craft Utility	Template:Flag	1

Tanks

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
M41 Walker Bulldog	File:R.O.C Marine Corps M41A3 Walker Bulldog front view.jpg	Light tank	Template:Flag	10<ref name="Jane3">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="trade">Template:Cite web</ref>

Reconnaissance

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
RBY Mk 1	File:RBY-MkI-latrun-2.jpg	Reconnaissance vehicle	Template:Flag	10<ref name="trade"/>
M8 Greyhound	File:Izvidniško oklepno vozilo M8 Greyhound.JPG	Armored car	Template:Flag	12<ref name="Zaloga">Template:Cite book</ref>

Armored personnel carriers

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
M113	File:UA M113 01.jpg	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	10<ref name="Military Balance 2022">Template:Cite book</ref>
Cadillac Gage Commando	File:Cadillac Gage Commando.JPEG	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	7<ref name="SIPRI">Template:Cite web</ref>
Armadillo	File:Armadillo Apc (66).JPG	Armored personnel carrier	Template:Flag	30<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Utility vehicles

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
AIL Abir	File:Abir.jpg	Utility vehicle	Template:Flag	20
M151<ref name="BDAR"/>	File:AMG M151 A2 (1978) GB (owner Gavin Broad).JPG	Utility vehicle	Template:Flag	Unknown
Trucks
M35<ref name="BDAR"/>	File:M35A2 with winch.jpg	Utility truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
M54<ref name="BDAR">Template:Cite book</ref>	File:REFORGER 1991, M54 Truck unloading.jpg	Utility truck	Template:Flag	Unknown
Ural-4320	File:Interpolitex2016part2-13.jpg	Utility truck	Template:Flag	3
Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer	File:Pinzgauer All-Terrain Troop Transport.JPG	Utility truck	Template:Flag	Unknown

Artillery

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Mortars
M224	File:60mm mortar round being launch (crop).jpg	Mortar	Template:Flag	625
Field artillery
M-56<ref name="Janes1998">Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref>	File:M56A1.jpg	Howitzer	Template:Flag	26
M101	File:JGSDF 105mm Howitzer M2A1(Type 58 105mm Howitzer) left front view at Camp Nihonbara October 1, 2017.jpg	Howitzer	Template:Flag	24Template:Sfn

Air defence systems

Name	Image	Type	Origin	Quantity	Status	Notes
Bofors L/60<ref name="MF">Template:Cite webTemplate:Better source needed</ref>	File:40mm bofors AA-gun in Finland.JPG	Autocannon	Template:Flag	Unknown
Blowpipe	File:Blowpipe missile 2.JPG	MANPADS	Template:Flag	82 launchers.

Notable military personnel

• Captain General Rafael Carrera
• Colonel Jacobo Árbenz Guzman
• Field Marshal José Víctor Zavala
• General Justo Rufino Barrios
• General Miguel Garcia Granados

References

Work cited

• Template:Cite book

External links

• Official Website of Guatemala's Military Template:Webarchive
• [1] Template:Webarchive
• Raul Sohr. ‘’Centroamérica en guerra.’’ Alianza Editorial. México. 1988.
• Christopher F. Foss. ‘’Jane's tank and combat vehicles recognition guide. ‘’Harper Collins Publishers. UK. 2000.