Armed Forces of Guatemala explained

Country:Guatemala
Armed Forces of Guatemala
Branches:Guatemalan Army
Guatemalan Air Force
Guatemalan Navy
Presidential Honor Guard
Commander-In-Chief: Bernardo Arévalo
Commander-In-Chief Title:Commander-in-Chief
Minister: Henry Saenz Ramos
Minister Title:Minister of National Defence
Commander: William Arnulfo López
Commander Title:Chief of the General Staff
Age:18
Active:106,114
Reserve:90,000
Amount:USD $120 million (FY99)
Percent Gdp:0.6% (FY99)
Ranks:Military ranks of Guatemala

The Guatemalan Armed Forces (Spanish; Castilian: Fuerzas Armadas de Guatemala) is the unified military organization comprising the Guatemalan Army, Navy, Air Force, and Presidential Honor Guard. The president of Guatemala is the commander-in-chief of the military, and formulates policy, training, and budget through the Minister of Defence. Day-to-day operations are conducted by the Chief of the General Staff.

History

Guatemala is a signatory to the Rio Pact and was a member of the Central American Defense Council (CONDECA). The President of the Republic is commander-in-chief.

Prior to 1945 the Defence Ministry was titled the Secretariat of War (Secretaría de la Guerra).

An agreement signed in September 1996, which is one of the substantive peace accords, mandated that the mission of the armed forces change to focus exclusively on external threats.[1] Presidents Álvaro Arzú and his successors Alfonso Portillo, Óscar Berger and Álvaro Colom, have used a constitutional clause to order the army on a temporary basis to support the police in response to a nationwide wave of violent crime, a product of the Mexican criminal organizations going across the north-west region.

The peace accords call for a one-third reduction in the army's authorized strength and budget - achieved in 2004 - and for a constitutional amendment to permit the appointment of a civilian minister of defense. A constitutional amendment to this end was defeated as part of a May 1999 plebiscite, but discussions between the executive and legislative branches continue on how to achieve this objective.

In 2004 the army has gone beyond its accord-mandated target, and has implemented troop reductions from an estimated 28,000 to 15,500 troops,[2] including subordinate air force (1,000) and navy (1,000) elements. It is equipped with armaments and material from the United States, Israel, Taiwan, Argentina, Spain, and France. As part of the army downsizing, the operational structure of 19 military zones and three strategic brigades are being recast as several military zones are eliminated and their area of operations absorbed by others. The air force operates three air bases; the navy has two port bases.[3]

The Guatemalan army has a special forces unit (specializing in anti-insurgent jungle warfare) known as the Kaibiles. In 2011, a Guatemalan court convicted four members of the Kaibiles, of killing more than 200 civilians in the Dos Erres massacre in 1982.[4] Each man was sentenced to 6,050 years in prison. Their convictions for their roles in the massacre nearly 30 years prior, in which soldiers killed more than 200 men, women, and children, would not have happened if not for the courage of victims of violence and Guatemala's attorney general, Claudia Paz y Paz. After the convictions of the Dos Erres four, based on a Guatemalan government's commitment to reorganize its special forces units, the U.S. Department of Defense resumed military aid.

Armed Forces Day

The Spanish; Castilian: Día del Ejército (Army Day or Armed Forces Day) is celebrated on 30 June, although if it occurs on a Tuesday or Wednesday it is celebrated on the prior Monday, and if it occurs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday it moves to the following Monday.[5]

Organization

The Armed Forces today number at around 39,000 active personnel.

Leadership

See main article: Chief of the General Staff (Guatemala).

Service branches

Army

The Army or Land Forces are the oldest military branch of the armed forces. In the middle of the 19th century, General Rafael Carrera promoted it with the triumph in the Battle of San José La Arada, dated to 2 February 1851, a date that is today commemorated as the day of this branch.

Navy

The Navy was founded on 15 January 1959, by the then President Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes, due to the need to protect the country's marine resources, which at the time were the object of illegal predation by fishing boats from neighboring countries. It is a state entity with functions as a police agency for seas and rivers.

Air Force

See main article: Guatemalan Air Force.

The Guatemalan Air Force (Spanish; Castilian: Fuerza Aérea Guatemalteca; FAG) constitutes the aviation portion of the Guatemalan Army. Founded in 1921, it is organized, equipped and trained to plan, conduct and execute the actions imposed by the State Military Defense in relation to the use of air power.

Honor Guard

The Presidential Honor Guard of Guatemala is a branch of the Guatemalan Land Forces, responsible for the care and protection of the President of the Republic, as well as the Vice President.

Equipment

Small arms

width=16%Namewidth=10%Imagewidth=15%Caliberwidth=12%Typewidth=10%Originwidth=28%Notes
Pistols
M1911[6] .45 ACPSemi-automatic pistol
Browning Hi-Power9×19mmSemi-automatic pistol
Beretta 929×19mmSemi-automatic pistol
Walther P389×19mmSemi-automatic pistol
Glock 199×19mmSemi-automatic pistol
SIG Sauer P2269×19mmSemi-automatic pistol
Shotguns
Valtro PM5/35012 gaugeShotgunUse by Kaibiles; stockless configuration with 350mm barrel
Submachine guns
Uzi[7] [8] 9×19mmSubmachine gun
Mini-Uzi[9] 9×19mmSubmachine gun
FMK-39×19mmSubmachine gun
MAC-109×19mmSubmachine gun
M3 Grease Gun9×19mmSubmachine gunM3 and M3A1
Beretta M12[10] 9×19mmSubmachine gun
Rifles
AKM[11] 7.62×39mmAssault rifle
AKS-74U5.45×39mmCarbine
Assault rifle
Samopal vz.58[12] 7.62×39mmAssault rifle
IMI Galil[13] 5.56×45mmAssault rifle
IWI Galil ACE[14] 5.56×45mmAssault rifle
Galil Córdova[15] [16] 5.56×45mmAssault rifle
Tavor CTAR21[17] 5.56×45mmAssault rifleIn use with Kaibiles
M16[18] 5.56×45mmAssault rifle
Colt 7275.56×45mmAssault rifleIn use with Kaibiles
Colt 7335.56×45mmAssault rifleIn use with Kaibiles
M45.56×45mmCarbine
Assault rifle
T655.56×45mmAssault rifle
ArmaLite AR-10[19] 7.62×51mmBattle rifle
Machine guns
Daewoo K3[20] 5.56×45mmLight machine gun
Browning M19197.62×51mmMedium machine gun
Browning M2.50 BMGHeavy machine gun
FN MAG7.62×51mmGeneral-purpose machine gun
Sniper and anti-materiel rifles
Barrett M82.50 BMGAnti-materiel rifle
Rocket propelled grenade launchers
M20 Super Bazooka[21] 60mmRocket-propelled grenade
M7A2 LAWRocket-propelled grenade
Grenade launchers
M20340×46mm SRGrenade launcher
M7940×46mmGrenade launcher

Anti-tank weapons

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M40A1Recoilless rifle105mm56 in service.
M-1968[22] Recoilless rifle105mm64 in service.

Tanks

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M41 Walker BulldogLight tank10[23] [24]

Reconnaissance

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RBY Mk 110
M8 GreyhoundArmored car12[25]

Armored personnel carriers

width=14%Namewidth=20%Imagewidth=14%Typewidth=12%Originwidth=10%Quantitywidth=06%Statuswidth=24%Notes
M113Armored personnel carrier10[26]
Cadillac Gage CommandoArmored personnel carrier7[27]
ArmadilloArmored personnel carrier30[28]

Utility vehicles

width=14%Namewidth=20%Imagewidth=14%Typewidth=12%Originwidth=10%Quantitywidth=06%Statuswidth=24%Notes
AIL AbirUtility vehicle20
M151Utility vehicleUnknown
Trucks
M35Utility truckUnknown
M54[29] Utility truckUnknown
Ural-4320Utility truck3
Steyr-Puch PinzgauerUtility truckUnknown

Artillery

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Mortars
M224Mortar625
Field artillery
M-56[30] Howitzer26
M101Howitzer24

Air defence systems

width=14%Namewidth=20%Imagewidth=14%Typewidth=12%Originwidth=10%Quantitywidth=06%Statuswidth=24%Notes
Bofors L/60[31] AutocannonUnknown
BlowpipeMANPADS82 launchers.

Notable military personnel

References

Work cited

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Agreement on the Strengthening of Civilian Power and on the Role of the Armed Forces in a Democratic Society: Guatemala: Peace Agreements: Library and Links: U.S. Institute of Peace . 2008-08-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813150358/http://www.usip.org/library/pa/guatemala/guat_960919.html . 2008-08-13 .
  2. News: Cancelarán 12 mil 109 plazas en el Ejército . Prensa Libre . April 2, 2004 . https://archive.today/20070710004304/http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2004/abril/02/85248.html . dead . July 10, 2007 .
  3. Web site: Background Note: Guatemala . . February 2009 .
  4. [Center for International Policy]
  5. News: Así quedarán los feriados en Guatemala para el 2020 – Prensa Libre . Sep 16, 2020 . Prensa Libre . 28 Apr 2020 . es-GT.
  6. Web site: Latin American Light Weapons National Inventories . . November 30, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121022110744/http://www.fas.org/asmp/campaigns/smallarms/lainven.html . October 22, 2012 . live . Citing Book: Terry J. . Gander . Ian V. . Hogg . Ian V. Hogg . Jane's Infantry Weapons, 1995–1996 . 1995 . Jane's Information Group . 21st . 9780710612410 . 32569399.
  7. Book: Jones, Richard . Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009–2010 . Jane's Information Group . 2009 . 978-0-7106-2869-5 . 896, 897, 899.
  8. Book: Diez, Octavio . Hand Guns . 2000 . Lema Publications . Barcelona . 84-8463-013-7 . ar . 44059526 . 2016-03-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140916211618/http://books.google.com/books?id=e8vcKLkEfcMC . 2014-09-16 . live .
  9. Web site: 2016-11-24 . wiw_sa_guatemala - worldinventory . https://web.archive.org/web/20161124203356/https://sites.google.com/site/worldinventory/wiw_sa_guatemala . 2016-11-24 . 2023-03-14.
  10. Book: Gander, Jerry. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2002–2003 . Jane's Information Group. 2002. 0-7106-2434-4 . 214, 899–906.
  11. Web site: World Armies . Guatemalan Special Forces . flicker.com . 2011-12-06 . 2017-04-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170407061751/https://www.flickr.com/photos/world_armies/6657856223/in/album-72157624622197278/ . 2017-04-07 . live .
  12. Web site: Czechpoint - History of the Sa vz. 58 - History of the Sa vz. 58 rifle . Czechpoint-usa.com . 2010-09-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110706172756/http://www.czechpoint-usa.com/history-of-the-sa-vz-58/ . 2011-07-06 . live .
  13. Book: Haapiseva-Hunter, Jane . Israeli foreign policy: South Africa and Central America . . 1999 . 113 . 978-0-89608-285-4 .
  14. Web site: IWI Galil ACE rifle adopted by Guatemala National Civil Police. The Firearm Blog. Steve. Johnson. 16 February 2011.
  15. Web site: 2019-09-20. Guatemala compró 8000 fusiles 'Galil Cordova' a Indumil, por más de 10 millones de dólares. 2020-08-02. Webinfomil. es.
  16. Web site: Galile dla Gwatemali . 27 September 2019 .
  17. Web site: InfoDefensa . Revista Defensa . El gobierno de Guatemala entrega nuevo armamento para sus Fuerzas Especiales Kaibil . 2024-01-01 . Infodefensa - Noticias de defensa, industria, seguridad, armamento, ejércitos y tecnología de la defensa . es.
  18. Web site: Report: Profiling the Small Arms Industry – World Policy Institute – Research Project . November 2000 . World Policy Institute . 15 July 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171011093831/http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/smallarms.htm . 11 October 2017 . dead.
  19. Pikula, page 45
  20. Web site: [현장르포] 30년만에 무분규 임금타결 S&T대우]. 2013-02-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20131218075246/http://biz.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/08/03/2011080300418.html. 2013-12-18. live.
  21. Book: Terry J.. Gander. Charles Q. . Cutshaw. Jane's Infantry Weapons 2001/2002 . 2001 . 27th . Jane's Information Group . Coulsdon . 9780710623171.
  22. Web site: Armamento argentino olvidado por la historia en Centro América . Desarrollo y Defensa . 30 June 2015 . Spanish.
  23. Book: Foss, Christopher F. . Jane's Armour and Artillery 2005–2006 . 186–194 . 2005 . Jane's Information Group . London . 978-0-7106-2686-8.
  24. Web site: Trade Registers . Armstrade.sipri.org . 2013-06-20.
  25. Book: Zaloga, Steve . M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car. 2002 . Osprey . 1-84176-468-X.
  26. Book: The Military Balance . 2022 . . 978-1-032-27900-8.
  27. Web site: SIPRI arms transfer database . . 17 June 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php . 14 April 2010 . live.
  28. Web site: HISTORY OF THE ARMADILLO. www.army-guide.com. 2017-03-19.
  29. Book: Annex C Appendix II. US Army Technical Manual of Foreign Military Sales: Battlefield Damage Assessment and Repair. TM 9-2320-356-BD. Washington, D.C.. 18 December 1987. 262. 15 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20120904154546/http://imfmotorpool.com/063247.PDF. 4 September 2012. live.
  30. Encyclopedia: 105 mm howitzer M56. Jane's Armour and Artillery. 19. 1998. Jane's Information Group. Christopher F.. Foss. 978-0710617903.
  31. Web site: Bofors 40mm (Series) Towed Anti-Aircraft Gun / Air Defense Gun - Sweden . www.militaryfactory.com . Military Factory . 19 February 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190219130414/https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=786 . 19 February 2019 . live .