All routine consular appointments on Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, are canceled. The message below repeats previously sent guidance.
Location: Throughout Guatemala
Event: The U.S. Embassy continues to receive reports of ongoing demonstrations and roadblocks throughout Guatemala. The demonstrations and roadblocks may prevent your ability to travel throughout Guatemala. We do not know when the demonstrations or roadblocks may cease. If they continue, you may need to postpone in-country travel or reschedule your flight. We recommend that you remain in a safe place, avoid affected areas, and do not seek to travel toward or through them. For the most up-to-date information about locations of roadblocks, please consult PROVIAL’s (Dirección General de Protección y Seguridad Vial) website.
The U.S. Embassy remains open and operational but has canceled all routine appointments for American Citizens Services (ACS) (e.g., passports, CRBAs, and notarials) and visas (immigrant and nonimmigrant) on Thursday, October 12, and Friday, October 13, 2023. The U.S. Embassy has also requested that all non-essential official travel to Guatemala be deferred for the immediate future. We remain open for ACS emergencies and approved emergency visa appointments. Please contact AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov if you are a U.S. citizen who needs an urgent appointment. To reschedule a passport or notarial appointment, please go here. The ACS unit will contact CRBA appointment holders to reschedule their appointments. Immigrant visa applicants will be rescheduled by email. Nonimmigrant visa appointment holders will be notified via their profile email address of instructions for rescheduling appointments. The procedure and criteria for requesting an emergency nonimmigrant visa appointment is here.
Please be advised that in an emergency, U.S. Embassy personnel are not first responders. If you need emergency assistance, Guatemala has a dedicated tourism assistance program (called PROATUR) whose sole mission is to assist and protect foreign tourists in Guatemala. Their emergency assistance call center – staffed with Spanish and English speakers – may be contacted 24/7 by calling 1500 from a Guatemalan phone number or (502) 2290-2810. You may also contact PROATUR by WhatsApp at +502-5188-1819. Note, however, that as long as there remain roadblocks, PROATUR staff also may not be able to travel through affected areas and would likely only be able to provide assistance once the road is clear.
Many U.S. citizens have inquired as to whether they should travel to Guatemala or when or whether they should depart Guatemala. Guatemala City’s La Aurora International Airport is open and operational. For the status of airport operations, please call the airport’s public information number: (502) 2321-5000. Deciding whether to travel to or depart Guatemala is a personal decision. The U.S. Embassy continually assesses travel conditions in Guatemala and regularly updates our travel advisories and safety information for U.S. citizen travelers. For entry and exit, safety and security, and other relevant travel information about Guatemala, please go here. The Guatemala Travel Advisory is located here. The Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) also maintains a country security report on Guatemala here. The U.S. Embassy is not otherwise permitted to advise individuals whether to travel to Guatemala or to provide individualized risk assessments. At this time, the U.S. Embassy is not requesting or recommending that U.S. citizens self-evacuate.
As always, the timing, size, and duration of planned demonstrations and roadblocks can change. Demonstrations can grow quickly in size and often move from one location to another, thus potentially disrupting movement. The Embassy recommends that U.S. citizens be aware and vigilant, avoiding protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks, when possible.
Actions to Take:
- Review your personal security plans and remain aware of your surroundings, including local events.
- Ensure adequate supplies of critical medicines, food, and water.
- Monitor local news for updates.
- Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security, and follow instructions of local authorities.
- Avoid affected areas and exercise caution.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Guatemala City
Website: https://gt.usembassy.gov/
Phone: +502 2354-0000
Email: AmCitsGuatemala@state.gov
State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444
Guatemala Country Information and Travel Advisory Page
Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
Follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter)