Guatemala Roundup: Walmart investment, immigration partnership, missing hiker

Walmart to invest $700 million

Walmart intends to invest approximately $700 million in Guatemala over the next five years, as the company's Central America head stated on Wednesday. The announcement, made by regional executive Cristina Ronski, coincided with the groundbreaking of a new store in the Central American nation. This announcement follows closely on the heels of the company's commitment to invest around $600 million in Costa Rica over the same period, revealed during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new distribution centre, as reported by Investing.com. Walmex, Walmart's Mexico and Central America unit, reported double-digit same-store sales growth in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Honduras during the first quarter. Costa Rica experienced low- to mid-single-digit growth during the same period.

China rejects Guatemala shipments

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo confirmed on Friday, May 24 that China had refused entry to certain shipments from the Central American nation, raising speculation that it could be linked to Guatemala's relationship with Taiwan. The day prior, Guatemala's exporters' association reported that seven containers of macadamia nuts had been unable to enter China, and traders were informed that Guatemalan macadamia nuts and coffee would be barred entry, as per WTAQ. Guatemala maintains diplomatic ties with Taiwan, while Beijing asserts that both China and Taiwan belong to "one China," a claim rejected by Taiwan. “As you know, the inauguration of the new Taiwanese government, which Guatemala has ties with, was a few days ago,” Arevalo said, speaking in a live question-and-answer session on TikTok. “There could be some dispute with China related to this.”

Japan collaboration

On Wednesday, May 22, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and her Guatemalan counterpart, Carlos Ramiro Martinez, agreed to initiate policy consultations to enhance bilateral relations. According to Nippon, the two countries aim to strengthen their ties based on principles such as democracy and the rule of law, covering topics such as immigration, poverty, women's participation in peacebuilding, nuclear disarmament, and climate change. Speaking at the meeting held at Tokyo's Foreign Ministry's Iikura Guest House, Kamikawa highlighted Guatemala as a key partner sharing values and principles with Japan, expressing a desire to deepen bilateral ties. Martinez affirmed his nation's unwavering support for Japan on nuclear disarmament.

Missing hiker found

Zain Wailany, a 26-year-old man from Gwinnett County, went missing during a solo hike in Guatemala and was found days later. He was located on Saturday, May 25 in the morning and is being taken to a local hospital. Wailany originally went missing on the night of Tuesday, May 21, while hiking the Volcan de Acatenango, near Antigua. His current condition is unknown, reports Atlanta News First.

Guatemala affirms support for Taiwan

During a meeting between Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Ramiro Martinez and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko Kamikawa on Wednesday, May 22, Guatemala reiterated its support for Taiwan. Martinez's delegation, which attended President William Lai's inauguration ceremony in Taiwan on Monday, May 27, departed for Japan on Wednesday, reports the Taipei Times. Despite Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo's inability to attend the ceremony in person, he arranged a video conference with Lai on Tuesday, May 28, to convey his congratulations, as mentioned by Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Department Deputy Director-General Chang Tzu-hsin during a regular news briefing.