Guatemala recognizes Palestine’s independence

Guatemala has said it has recognized the independence of Palestine. It has thus decided to join an overwhelming majority of Latin American and Caribbean states.

This comes in a statement by the Guatemalan President’s Office. But the statement points out that the decision to recognize Palestine’s sovereignty should in no way harm the country’s friendship and cooperation with Israel.

In November 2012, the UN General Assembly granted Palestine the status of a UN non-member observer state.