From the State Department’s 2025 Annual Report
Summary: The Hague Abduction Convention has been in force between the United States and Guatemala since 2008. While the Department did not cite Guatemala for demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance in 2024, the Department is concerned about the amount of time it takes to locate missing children. Guatemala was previously cited for demonstrating a pattern of noncompliance in the 2012-2017 Annual Reports.
Central Authority: The U.S. and the Guatemalan Central Authorities have a cooperative relationship that facilitates the resolution of abduction cases under the Convention.
Voluntary Resolution: The Convention states that central authorities “shall take all appropriate measures to secure the voluntary return of the child or to bring about an amicable resolution of the issues.” In 2024, three abduction cases involving six children were resolved through voluntary means.
Location: In some cases, the competent authorities delayed taking appropriate steps to locate a child after a Convention application was filed.
The average time to locate a child was 52 days. Judicial Authorities: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases decided by the Guatemalan judiciary in 2024.
Enforcement: The United States is not aware of any abduction cases in which a judicial order relating to international parental child abduction
needed to be enforced by the Guatemalan authorities.
Children ages 16-18 years: In 2024, the Department was aware of one abducted child who was between 16 and 18 years old at any time during the year and who received consular services provided by the Department, as appropriate.
Department Recommendations: The Department and the Guatemalan Central Authority will continue the effective processing and resolution of cases under the Convention. The Department will also continue to engage with Guatemalan government officials regarding the amount of time it takes to locate missing children.
Country-by-Country Information About Child Abduction and Divorce
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