Guatemala is on the cusp of major transformation, with President Bernardo Arévalo setting his sights on ambitious infrastructure projects and a pivotal year for the nation’s democracy. As the calendar moves toward 2026, the country finds itself balancing the promise of modern mass transit with the challenges of safeguarding its democratic institutions.
In a recent interview with radio Sonora, President Arévalo outlined his vision for the capital’s future. He declared, “We hope to leave Guatemala City’s metro in its first stage; it’s something we’re working on with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.” According to AGN, this marks a significant step forward for a city long plagued by congestion and limited public transport options.
The metro project, a first for Guatemala, is designed to connect with the aerometro initiative spearheaded by the capital’s municipal government, as well as a new complementary bus system. The goal? To create a seamless mass transit network that could transform daily life for thousands. President Arévalo stressed, “We also expect to complete the contracting of a complementary bus system to leave a mass transport system in the country.”
But this is not just a matter of laying down tracks and building stations. The president’s commitment was on full display back in March 2024, when he led a high-level meeting with the World Bank, the National Agency for Partnerships for the Development of Economic Infrastructure (Anadie), and the Ministry of Public Finance. The gathering, as reported by AGN, focused on reviewing the metro project’s profile and ensuring all stakeholders were on board. “Today we have reviewed the project profile of the Public Transportation System of the Metro with all sectors that will be involved in building this great project for the mobility of thousands of Guatemalans,” Arévalo shared on his official channels.
The World Bank’s involvement is no small matter. The institution is providing both technical and financial advisory support, a nod to the complexity and scale of the undertaking. The project is structured as a public-private partnership, with Anadie presenting pre-feasibility studies and the government lending its full backing. According to AGN, the first phase will see the metro run roughly 21 kilometers from the north to the south of Guatemala City, a route designed to relieve some of the city’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks.
Construction is already underway on key infrastructure, including three overpasses along the bustling Atanasio Tzul Avenue. These are expected to lay the groundwork for the metro’s eventual path. President Arévalo remains optimistic, stating, “We have taken another step in building Guatemala’s first underground metro. We have started to analyze it, and they gave their first report and initial elements.” The government hopes to inaugurate the first phase of the underground metro by mid-2027. Arévalo acknowledged the challenges ahead, describing the project as “quite complex and difficult,” but added, “we are confident that it will be so.”
While the metro project is taking shape, the political landscape in Guatemala is also entering a critical phase. In an interview with La Hora on August 20, 2025, President Arévalo described the coming year as decisive for the country’s democracy. “In 2026, we will be playing for the country’s democracy,” he said, alluding to the renewal of key institutions: the Constitutional Court (CC), the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), and the Public Ministry (MP).
These institutions are the backbone of Guatemala’s democratic framework, overseeing everything from constitutional legality to the integrity of elections and rule of law. With their leadership set to be refreshed, the stakes are high. As La Hora reported, Arévalo emphasized the need for transparent processes and active participation from all corners of society. “We have made continuous calls. For example, to lawyers, teachers, etc., to participate. We did it in an explicit and very clear way during the elections of the Bar Association,” he noted.
However, the president was quick to point out the constitutional limits of his office. Despite calls from some sectors for more direct intervention, Arévalo insists on respecting the separation of powers. “If I were making calls to gather people, to align a group around the elections in the bar association, for example, I would be violating constitutional principles,” he explained. He warned that such actions could open the door for the Public Ministry, led by Attorney General Consuelo Porras, to claim that democratic order had not been respected. “That is precisely what they would want in the MP to generate actions that would allow them to say: ‘There is no democratic order here,’” Arévalo cautioned.
The president’s approach, therefore, is to lead by example and through the daily work of government ministries. “The Executive has a mandate, which is to respond to the needs of the population, and that is what we are doing from each of those spaces,” he told La Hora. Still, he reiterated the importance of not overstepping constitutional boundaries: “We encourage the actors we believe are most suitable to be there without taking sides, which is what would make us cross that red line.”
This careful balancing act is emblematic of Arévalo’s broader strategy: pushing for progress while maintaining respect for the rule of law. His focus on infrastructure is matched by a commitment to democratic norms, even as pressures mount from various sides. The coming year, with its institutional renewals and ongoing metro construction, will test both the government’s resolve and the resilience of Guatemala’s democracy.
As the metro project advances, the hope is that it will not only ease daily commutes but also stand as a symbol of what can be achieved through collaboration and transparent governance. The involvement of international partners like the World Bank and the US Army Corps of Engineers brings both expertise and credibility, while the public-private partnership model aims to harness the strengths of both sectors. Yet, as Arévalo and his administration are keenly aware, the success of such ventures ultimately depends on public trust and the integrity of the institutions overseeing them.
With the clock ticking toward 2026, Guatemalans are watching closely. Will the first phase of the metro be completed on schedule? Can the government steer the renewal of key institutions without succumbing to political pressures or undermining constitutional principles? Only time will tell, but for now, the country stands at a crossroads—poised between the promise of modernity and the perennial challenge of upholding democracy.
In the months to come, the decisions made in both the construction yard and the halls of government will shape Guatemala’s future for years—perhaps decades—to come.