Guatemala Conservative Elites React to Trump Return, Arévalo Leadership

President Donald Trump's return to the White House in January 2025 was met with celebration by a conservative political community in Guatemala, which had lobbied for lifting travel bans and sanctions imposed during the Biden administration. These sanctions were in response to actions by Guatemalan politicians and judges seen as retaliatory against President Bernardo Arévalo, who was elected in 2024 with strong support from Indigenous groups and young voters seeking justice for civil war-era crimes. The Biden administration viewed the sanctions as a means to support Arévalo's transition and challenge conservative forces in Guatemala. Meanwhile, the Latin American gambling industry is experiencing notable growth, exemplified by Pragmatic Play's participation as a Diamond Sponsor at the GAT Expo CDMX 2025, emphasizing the region's need for tailored and innovative gaming solutions. Across academic circles, there is ongoing study of Latin American states from ethnographic perspectives to understand political power, social life, and the impacts of neoliberalism on citizen-state relations. These diverse developments highlight the complex political, economic, and cultural dynamics shaping Latin America in 2025.