For the WJP, the Rule of Law is a system of rules based on four principles: accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible and impartial mechanisms for resolving disputes. Therefore, the WJP index is a valuable tool for understanding a country's situation in terms of justice, transparency, security, and fundamental rights. Through this report, we can not only know Guatemala's position but also which aspects urgently need attention to strengthen our institutions and build a true republic.
General Data on Guatemala
For 2024, Guatemala received a score of 0.44 out of 1.00, a figure that has remained stable since 2021; this score reflects moderate performance, clearly below ideal standards. In the global ranking that evaluates 142 countries, Guatemala was ranked 107th, improving four positions compared to the previous year (it was 111th).
At the regional level, in Latin America and the Caribbean, Guatemala was positioned 25th out of 32 countries. This indicates that, although it has achieved a small global recovery, it is still lagging behind many of its neighbors.
Although Guatemala moved up four positions in the global ranking, scores by category show that structural challenges persist. On a scale of 0 to 1 (where 1 is the best performance), the country obtained:
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1. Constraints on Government Powers: 0.49
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2. Absence of Corruption: 0.34
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3. Open Government: 0.53
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4. Fundamental Rights: 0.53
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5. Order and Security: 0.60
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6. Regulatory Enforcement: 0.42
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7. Civil Justice: 0.34
- 8. Criminal Justice: 0.30
What are the main weaknesses?
The data show that the biggest challenges for Guatemala are in three key areas: criminal justice, civil justice, and absence of corruption. With scores of 0.30, 0.34, and 0.34 respectively, these dimensions reflect a lack of trust in the judicial system, both for resolving conflicts between citizens and for effectively punishing crimes. In criminal justice, for example, the Public Ministry reports that impunity in crimes such as homicide exceeds 90%, meaning that 9 out of 10 cases are not resolved with a sentence. In civil justice, a trial can take between 4 and 6 years to resolve, depending on the court's caseload, which represents limited access to conflict resolution. Regarding corruption, according to Latinobarómetro, 72% of Guatemalans believe that most public officials are corrupt, a persistent perception that weakens trust in institutions. These weaknesses not only affect people's daily lives but also damage the legitimacy of the state and hinder the strengthening of a true Republic. Guatemala's low score in the World Justice Project clearly reflects the deep institutional crisis the country is experiencing. These failures are not only felt in people's daily lives but also weaken the state. Ultimately, Guatemala's low score in the World Justice Project clearly shows the institutional challenges that still need to be resolved.
Conclusion
In this context, beyond a simple index, the World Justice Project report confronts us with a reality that we cannot continue to ignore: institutions are not functioning as they should, and this weakens both respect for the law and public trust. The lack of legal certainty, endless processes, and impunity not only affect the daily lives of citizens but also hinder the country's growth and weaken the foundations of a true Republic. If we want a country where the law is upheld and private property is respected, we must take our institutions seriously: support them when they work and demand reforms when they do not. It is time to move from words to action.