Guatemala Recognizes Palestinian Authority as a State

Guatemala has recognized Palestine as a state, which it believes will help bring about a peace agreement with Israel. It joins several Latin American countries that have recognized a sovereign state of Palestine in the last two years.

The Guatemala's president's office said in a statement that it decided to "recognize the State of Palestine as a free, sovereign and independent state" in order to "gain new momentum" in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

"The decision in no way alters Guatemala's long tradition of friendship and cooperation with the State of Israel, a relationship the Guatemalan government highly values," the statement added.

Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Guyana all have recognized an independent Palestinian state, some specifying that it be located within 1967 borders.