Guatemala

One of the northernmost countries of Central America, Guatemala was nearly devastated by visits from the Spanish conquistadores, who brought with them an epidemic that proved fatal for many among the native Guatemalan populations.

Upon proclaiming its independence from Spain, Guatemala immediately proclaimed its incorporation into the Mexican Empire, which proved to be short lived, as the Mexican Empire dissolved within two years of Guatemala's incorporation. Guatemala then became a member of the United Provinces of Central America. However, one of Guatemala's most storied figures, Rafael Carrera, led this group's dissolution, and eventually Guatemala, like other members of the federation, eventually became an independent republic. Carrera was the first President of Guatemala, and remained President until his death in 1865.

Much of Guatemala's political history has been characterized by considerable unrest, including an event in 1980 in which indigenous Guatemalans tooker over the Spanish Embassy to protest military actions in the countryside. The Guatemalan response was an assault that killed nearly everyone inside the embassy. The ensuing fire at the building raised questions as to the Guatemalan government's tactics, notably whether or not the fire was meant to cover up the assault, or whether the fire was set by the protesters themselves, a theory those inside the building who survived the fire openly disputed.

Today, Guatemala hosts democratic elections, though the wide disparity in income between the country's wealthy and its impoverished continues to be a cause for concern for human rights organizations.