AI regulation in Guatemala (2026)

Guatemala has not enacted any dedicated AI legislation. The country lacks fundamental data protection laws, clear institutional AI supervisory authority, and mechanisms to hold companies accountable for AI-caused harm. Existing intellectual property, cybersecurity, and general civil frameworks apply by default.

The Guatemalan government launched a participatory co-creation process for a National AI Strategy (ENIA) through the GAE commission, funded by the EU and the Joint SDG Fund. Strategy formulation ran October 2025–March 2026, with validation and public presentation planned for June 2026, and governance/roadmap development scheduled through October 2026.

In October 2025, GAE and UNDP launched the AI Landscape Assessment for Guatemala as part of the global 'AI Sprint' initiative. The assessment maps current AI capabilities, identifies ecosystem gaps, and forms the evidence base for the forthcoming national strategy.

Deputy Julio Portillo introduced a bill in October 2025 to regulate AI use, specifically targeting deepfakes, identity spoofing, and AI-generated false content. It proposes criminal penalties for unauthorized creation or distribution of AI-manipulated images, audio, or video. As of early 2026 the bill has not been assigned to a working commission.

Guatemala, alongside Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, has not yet adopted any AI regulatory material. Regional analysis notes that Central American countries may follow the pattern of 'tropicalizing' EU AI Act principles rather than building independent frameworks from scratch.

Independent policy analysis rates Guatemala's AI regulation and ethics at 1.5 out of 5 ('Basic'), noting persistent absence of normative frameworks, unclear institutional authority, and no risk-based regulatory mechanisms adapted to local capacity.