since 1839, when that title was assumed by Mariano Rivera Paz. Earlier, Guatemala had been a state within the United Provinces of Central America since 1823, before that part of the
and the King of Spain, back to the Spanish conquest of the region in the early 16th century.
" has been used by democratically elected leaders and appointed heads of state, as well as by dictators who took power by military coup.
| President | Took office | Left office | Party |
| Mariano Rivera Paz |
|
3 December 1839 |
25 February 1842 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| José Venancio López Requena (acting) |
|
25 February 1842 |
14 May 1842 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Mariano Rivera Paz |
|
14 May 1842 |
14 December 1844 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Rafael Carrera José Rafael Carrera Turcios was the ruler of Guatemala from 1844 to 1848 and from 1851 until his death in 1865. During his military career and presidency, the new nations in Central America faced numerous problems... |
|
14 December 1844 |
16 August 1848 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
Juan Antonio MartínezJuan Antonio Martínez was interim President of Guatemala from 16 August 1848—28 November 1848. Martinez was elected due to the resignation of President José Rafael Carrera Turcios on August 15, 1848.... (interim) |
|
16 August 1848 |
28 November 1848 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
| José Bernardo Escobar José Bernardo Escobar was interim President of Guatemala from 28 November 1848—3 January 1849. Escobar assumed duties when Juan Antonio Martínez was unable to maintain peace and resigned. Escobar took office only to meet instant opposition from both the Moderate party and the aristocrats and... (interim) |
|
28 November 1848 |
3 January 1849 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
| Mariano Peredes (interim) |
|
3 January 1849 |
6 November 1851 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Rafael Carrera José Rafael Carrera Turcios was the ruler of Guatemala from 1844 to 1848 and from 1851 until his death in 1865. During his military career and presidency, the new nations in Central America faced numerous problems... |
|
6 November 1851 |
14 April 1865 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
Pedro de Aycinena y PiñolPedro de Aycinena y Piñol was president of Guatemala from 14 April 1865 to 24 May 1865.-References:... (acting) |
|
14 April 1865 |
24 May 1865 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
| Vicente Cerna Sandoval Vicente Cerna Sandoval was president of Guatemala from 24 May 1865 to 29 June 1871.... |
|
24 May 1865 |
29 June 1871 |
Conservative Party -Africa:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party *Conservative Party -Europe:*Conservative Party *Conservative Party of Armenia *Conservative Party *Conservative Party...
|
| Miguel García Granados Miguel García-Granados Zavala was President of Guatemala from 29 June 1871 to 4 June 1873. He was an influential figure in the broad sweep of 19th century Guatemalan history.... |
|
29 June 1871 |
4 June 1873 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
Justo Rufino BarriosJusto Rufino Barrios was a President of Guatemala known for his liberal reforms and his attempts to reunite Central America.... |
|
4 June 1873 |
2 April 1885 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
Alejandro M. SinibaldiAlejandro M. Sinibaldi was acting President of Guatemala from April 2, 1885 to April 5, 1885.... (acting) |
|
2 April 1885 |
5 April 1885 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Manuel Barillas |
|
6 April 1885 |
15 March 1892 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| José María Reina Barrios José María Reina Barrios was President of Guatemala from 15 March 1892 through 8 February 1898. He was born in San Marcos, Guatemala... |
|
15 March 1892 |
8 February 1898 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
Manuel Estrada CabreraManuel José Estrada Cabrera was President of Guatemala from 8 February 1898 to 15 April 1920.Manuel Estrada forcibly took the presidency after the assassination of José María Reina. The Guatemalan cabinet called an emergency meeting to appoint a new successor, but declined to invite the General... |
|
8 February 1898 |
15 April 1920 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Carlos Herrera |
|
15 April 1920 |
10 December 1921 |
Unionist Party The Unionist Party is a conservative political party in Guatemala, who advocates the re-creation of a Central American union....
|
| José María Orellana |
|
10 December 1921 |
26 September 1926 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Lázaro Chacón González Lázaro Chacón González was the acting President of Guatemala from 26 September 1926 to 18 December 1926 and President of Guatemala from 19 December 1926 to 2 January 1931.... |
|
26 September 1926 |
2 January 1931 |
Unionist Party The Unionist Party is a conservative political party in Guatemala, who advocates the re-creation of a Central American union.... |
| José María Reina Andrade José María Reina Andrade was the acting President of Guatemala from 2 January 1931 to 14 February 1931.José María Reina Andrade, He was nicknamed "Reinita" because of his short stature, was appointed by the Congress of Guatemala on December 31, 1930 as the first president of the Republic. On... (acting) |
|
2 January 1931 |
14 February 1931 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Jorge Ubico Jorge Ubico y Castañeda was a Guatemalan dictator who held the title of President of Guatemala from 14 February 1931 to 4 July 1944.-Early years:... |
|
14 February 1931 |
4 July 1944 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location... |
| Juan Federico Ponce Vaides Juan Federico Ponce Vaides was the acting President of Guatemala from 4 July 1944 to 20 October 1944. He succeeded long-ruling dictator Jorge Ubico after Ubico's resignation, but the latter continued to exercise considerable influence during Ponce's acting presidency... |
|
4 July 1944 |
20 October 1944 |
Liberal Party Liberal Party is the name for dozens of political parties around the world. Liberal parties can be center-left, centrist, or center-right depending on their location...
|
| Revolutionary Government Junta |
|
20 October 1944 |
15 March 1945 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
Juan José ArévaloJuan José Arévalo Bermejo was the first of the reformist presidents of Guatemala. Preceded by military junta interregnum after a definitive pro-democracy revolt in 1944... |
|
15 March 1945 |
15 March 1951 |
Revolutionary Action Party Revolutionary Action Party , PAR. Left political party in Guatemala. PAR was formed in November 1945 through the merger of two parties that had brought Arevalo to power, the National Renovation Party and the Popular Front Liberator...
|
Jacobo Árbenz GuzmánColonel Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán was a Guatemalan military officer and politician who served as Defense Minister of Guatemala from 1944–1951, and as President of Guatemala from 1951 to 1954.... |
|
15 March 1951 |
27 June 1954 |
Revolutionary Action Party Revolutionary Action Party , PAR. Left political party in Guatemala. PAR was formed in November 1945 through the merger of two parties that had brought Arevalo to power, the National Renovation Party and the Popular Front Liberator... /Party of the Guatemalan RevolutionThe Party of the Guatemalan Revolution , PRG. PRG was formed in June 1952 to unite non-Communist parties which were supporting the administration Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán...
|
| Carlos Enrique Díaz de León Carlos Enrique Díaz de León was the provisional President of Guatemala from 27 June 1954 to 28 June 1954. He was replaced by a military junta led by Elfegio Monzón. Carlos Enrique Díaz was chief of the armed forces.... (provisional) |
|
27 June 1954 |
28 June 1954 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Elfego Hernán Monzón Aguirre Elfego Hernán Monzón Aguirre was the leader of the military junta in Guatemala from 29 June 1954 to 8 July 1954.Military Government Board *Colonel Elfego H... (Chairman of Military Junta) |
|
29 June 1954 |
8 July 1954 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Carlos Castillo Armas Carlos Castillo Armas was a Guatemalan Colonel who came to power in a CIA-orchestrated coup in 1954. He held the title of President of Guatemala from July 8, 1954 until his assassination in 1957.-The coup:... |
|
8 July 1954 |
26 July 1957 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Luis Arturo González López Luis Arturo González López was a politician in Guatemala and the acting President of Guatemala on an interim basis, from 27 July 1957 to 24 October 1957. González replaced assassinated Carlos Castillo Armas. The work of his government was focused on trying to call new elections... (acting) |
|
27 July 1957 |
24 October 1957 |
National Progress Party |
| Óscar Mendoza Azurdia Colonel Óscar Mendoza Azurdia was the chairman of the military junta in Guatemala from 24 October 1957 to 26 October 1957. He was later elected as Vice President on 12 September 1980 after the resignation of Francisco Villagrán... (Chairman of Military Junta) |
|
24 October 1957 |
26 October 1957 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Guillermo Flores Avendaño Colonel Guillermo Flores Avendaño was President of Guatemala from 27 October 1957 until 2 March 1958, when he was appointed Minister of Defence in the government of Miguel Ydígoras.-References:... (acting) |
|
26 October 1957 |
2 March 1958 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes General José Miguel Ramón Ydígoras Fuentes was President of Guatemala from 2 March 1958 to 31 March 1963. He took power following the murder of Colonel Carlos Castillo Armas.... |
|
2 March 1958 |
31 March 1963 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force .... /National Democratic Reconciliation PartyNational Democratic Reconciliation Party . PRDN was a moderate conservative party in Guatemala.The PRDN was founded in 1950 by General Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes....
|
| Enrique Peralta Azurdia Alfredo Enrique Peralta Azurdia was President of Guatemala from 31 March 1963 to 1 July 1966.Enrique Peralta was born on June 17, 1908 in Guatemala City. He took over the presidency after a coup against president Miguel Ydígoras Fuentes... |
|
31 March 1963 |
1 July 1966 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force .... /Institutional Democratic PartyThe Institutional Democratic Party was a Guatemalan pro-government political party active during the 1970s.The PID was formed in 1963 by Enrique Peralta Azurdia after he had seized power in a coup. A centre-right party, it was modelled on the Mexican Institutional Revolutionary Party. From the...
|
| Julio César Méndez Montenegro Julio César Méndez Montenegro was the Revolutionary Party President of Guatemala from 1 July 1966 to 1 July 1970. The only civilian to occupy Guatemala's presidency during the long period of military rule between 1954 and 1986, Méndez was not allowed to act independently of the military and was... |
|
1 July 1966 |
1 July 1970 |
Revolutionary Party The Revolutionary Party was the ruling Guatemalan political party from 1966 to 1970.The party was founded in 1957 by Mario Méndez Montenegro and, although on the moderate left it was claimed that during the early 1960s the country's communists had adopted a policy of entryism towards the PR and...
|
| Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio Carlos Manuel Arana Osorio was President of Guatemala from 1 July 1970 to 1 July 1974.Carlos Arana was born in Barberena, in the department of Santa Rosa.... |
|
1 July 1970 |
1 July 1974 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force .... /National Liberation MovementThe National Liberation Movement was a Guatemala military-backed party formed in 1960 by Mario Sandoval Alarcón as a breakaway from the National Democratic Movement....
|
| Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García was President of Guatemala from 1 July 1974 to 1 July 1978. He was the son of a Norwegian father and Guatemalan mother.... |
|
1 July 1974 |
1 July 1978 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force .... /National Liberation MovementThe National Liberation Movement was a Guatemala military-backed party formed in 1960 by Mario Sandoval Alarcón as a breakaway from the National Democratic Movement.... /Institutional Democratic PartyThe Institutional Democratic Party was a Guatemalan pro-government political party active during the 1970s.The PID was formed in 1963 by Enrique Peralta Azurdia after he had seized power in a coup. A centre-right party, it was modelled on the Mexican Institutional Revolutionary Party. From the...
|
| Fernando Romeo Lucas García Fernando Romeo Lucas García was the 25th President of Guatemala from 1 July 1978 to 23 March 1982... |
|
1 July 1978 |
23 March 1982 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force .... /Institutional Democratic PartyThe Institutional Democratic Party was a Guatemalan pro-government political party active during the 1970s.The PID was formed in 1963 by Enrique Peralta Azurdia after he had seized power in a coup. A centre-right party, it was modelled on the Mexican Institutional Revolutionary Party. From the... /Revolutionary PartyThe Revolutionary Party was the ruling Guatemalan political party from 1966 to 1970.The party was founded in 1957 by Mario Méndez Montenegro and, although on the moderate left it was claimed that during the early 1960s the country's communists had adopted a policy of entryism towards the PR and...
|
| Efraín Ríos Montt José Efraín Ríos Montt is a former de facto President of Guatemala, dictator, army general, and former president of Congress. In the 2003 presidential elections, he unsuccessfully ran as the candidate of the ruling Guatemalan Republican Front .Huehuetenango-born Ríos Montt remains one of the most... |
|
23 March 1982 |
8 August 1983 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Óscar Humberto Mejía Victores Óscar Humberto Mejía Victores was the 27th President of Guatemala from 8 August 1983 to 14 January 1986. A member of the military, he was President of Guatemala during a time of increased repression and death squad activity... |
|
8 August 1983 |
14 January 1986 |
Military The Military of Guatemala consists of National Army of Guatemala , the Guatemalan Navy and the Guatemalan Air Force ....
|
| Vinicio Cerezo Marco Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo is a Guatemalan politician. He served as President of Guatemala from 14 January 1986 to 14 January 1991 and currently sits in Congress.-Career:... |
|
14 January 1986 |
14 January 1991 |
Guatemalan Christian Democracy The Guatemalan Christian Democracy , founded 24 August 1955, was a political party in Guatemala. It was a moderate reformist party, although also anti-Communist. It first won congressional seats in [Guatemalan parliamentary election, 1955|1955]]. In 1957, it contested presidential elections but...
|
| Jorge Serrano Elías Jorge Antonio Serrano Elías was President of Guatemala from January 14, 1991 to May 31, 1993.-Career:Serrano was born April 26, 1945 in Guatemala City as the son of Jorge Adán Serrano and Rosa Elías... |
|
14 January 1991 |
1 June 1993 |
Solidarity Action Movement |
| Gustavo Adolfo Espina Salguero Gustavo Adolfo Espina Salguero became vice-president of Guatemala as the running mate of President Jorge Serrano on January 14, 1991.Serrano attempted a self-coup on May 25, 1993, but was forced to flee into exile on June 1... |
|
1 June 1993 |
5 June 1993 |
Solidarity Action Movement |
| Ramiro de León Carpio Ramiro de León Carpio was the President of Guatemala from 6 June 1993 until 14 January 1996.-Career:He studied law at the University of San Carlos and then at the Rafael Landívar University, where he ran the Sol Bolivariano newspaper... |
|
6 June 1993 |
14 January 1996 |
None |
Álvaro ArzúÁlvaro Enrique Arzú Yrigoyen was the 32nd President of Guatemala from January 14, 1996 until January 14, 2000... |
|
14 January 1996 |
14 January 2000 |
National Advancement Party The National Advancement Party is a political party in Guatemala. It was founded in 1989.In the 1990 and 1995 elections its presidential candidate was Álvaro Arzú who won in 1995, becoming Guatemala's 32nd president .... /Unionist PartyThe Unionist Party is a conservative political party in Guatemala, who advocates the re-creation of a Central American union....
|
| Alfonso Portillo Alfonso Antonio Portillo Cabrera is a Guatemalan politician. He served as the President of the Republic of Guatemala from 2000 to 2004.... |
|
14 January 2000 |
14 January 2004 |
Guatemalan Republican Front The Guatemalan Republican Front is a right-wing political party in Guatemala.It was created in 1989 by former president and dictator Efraín Ríos Montt, and formally registered in 1990...
|
| Óscar Berger Óscar José Rafael Berger Perdomo, born on 11 August 1946 in Guatemala City, is a former President of Guatemala.-Early years:Of Belgian descent, Berger was born to an upper class family with large sugar and coffee holdings... |
|
14 January 2004 |
14 January 2008 |
National Solidarity Party The National Solidarity Party is a political party in Guatemala.In the general election held on 9 November 2003, the party was part of the Grand National Alliance . In the legislative election, GANA won 24.3% of the vote, and 47 out of 158 seats in Congress... /Grand National Alliance |
| Álvaro Colom Álvaro Colom Caballeros is the President of Guatemala for the 2008–2012 term and leader of the social-democratic National Unity of Hope .-Early years:... |
|
14 January 2008 |
14 January 2012 |
National Unity of Hope The National Unity of Hope is a political party in Guatemala. It was founded in 2002 and defines itself as a social-democratic and social-Christian party....
|
| Otto Pérez Molina |
|
14 January 2012 |
Elect |
Patriotic Party The Patriotic Party is a right wing political party in Guatemala.It was founded on 24 February 2001 by retired Army General Otto Pérez Molina.-2003 election:... /Grand National Alliance |