Category Archives: Guatemala

Newsflash – Guatemala: 100% Exemption of IGSS Surcharges (Agreement 1556)

Guatemalan Social Security Institute – Agreement Number 1556 Exemption from Surcharges on Social Security Contribution Fees Agreement Number 1556, issued by the Board of Directors of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute (IGSS) on January 28, 2025, regulates the exemption of one hundred percent of the surcharges on Social Security contribution fees that are paid or…

Newsflash: New Guatemala – U.S. Trade Agreement: Key Tariff Benefits and Challenges

On January 30, 2026, Guatemala and the United States of America signed a Reciprocal Trade Agreement through which approximately 70% of Guatemalan exports to that market regain zero-tariff benefits, complementing the DR-CAFTA regime, as reported by the Ministry of Economy. This agreement does not replace the current framework but reinforces it, providing greater certainty and…

Good Faith: The Silent Pillar of Arbitration

Carolina Diab – Special Counsel, Guatemala In arbitration—as in life—not everything is written. Beyond rules, deadlines, and formalities, there exists a principle that silently upholds the legitimacy of the process: good faith. It is not always mentioned and is rarely expressly regulated, yet when it is absent, arbitration suffers and loses its essence. Revisiting this…

BLP Receives Three Recognitions at the LatinFinance 2026 Deal of the Year Awards

BLP is honored to share that several transactions in which the Firm had the privilege of advising have been recognized in the LatinFinance Deals of the Year Awards, highlighting impactful financing and sustainable finance work across Central America. These recognitions are especially meaningful to us as they reflect the trust our clients have placed in…

ESG Initiative Award Highlights BLP’s Leadership in Central America

BLP has been recognized by Latin Lawyer with the ESG Initiative Award for the implementation of its Green Habitat Project, an innovative initiative that promotes everyday sustainable practices among its professionals and actively fosters biodiversity from their homes. Launched last year and led by the Firm’s Environmental Committee, the Green Habitat Project encourages BLP lawyers…