# Grand Corruption and the SDGs: Putting a Country’s Health at Risk - Corruption in Guatemala URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/grand-corruption-and-the-sdgs-putting-a-countrys-health-at-risk-corruption-in-guatemala Type: Publication or report Published: 2019-12-13 Updated: 2020-06-01 --- 13 December 2019 Grand corruption in Guatemala poses a real threat to the health of the country’s citizens and institutions. One of several recent cases, the La Línea customs scandal, implicated officials at the highest level and is estimated to have cost the country 1.8 per cent of its GDP in 2015. This is public money that Guatemala can ill-afford to squander if it is to meet its development objectives. The country’s health sector in particular has suffered from under-investment and recurring corruption scandals orchestrated by senior officials. This undermines the SDG 3 targets the country has set in critical areas, including tackling high maternal mortality rates. With the support of an independent commission, the CICIG, Guatemala has managed to reduce impunity for those implicated in grand corruption and organised crime – a closely linked problem. However, these gains are now at risk of being reversed by political elites who have chosen not to renew the CICIG’s mandate. ### Related publications ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Breaking the Silos: A Practical Guide to Fighting Corruption with a Human Rights-Based Approach](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/breaking-the-silos-a-practical-guide-to-fighting-corruption-with-a-human-rights-based-approach) Publication • 25 June 2026 This guide seeks to equip human rights defenders and anti-corruption advocates with practical tools to promote accountability for corrupt acts. ## [Connecting the Dots: How financial intelligence units expose corrupt money flows and how they could do more](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/connecting-the-dots) Publication • 24 June 2026 Financial intelligence units can play a key role in uncovering corruption, but only if they have the powers, resources and access to information they need. ## [Global Corruption Barometer 2003](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/gcb-2003) Publication • 03 July 2003 ## Priorities - [Grand corruption](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/grand-corruption) - [Sustainable Development Goals](https://www.transparency.org/en/our-priorities/sustainable-development-goals) ## Countries - [Guatemala](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/guatemala) ## Projects - [Anti-Corruption Agency Strengthening Initiative](https://www.transparency.org/en/projects/anti-corruption-agency-strengthening-initiative) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Grand-Corruption-and-the-SDGs-Guatemala.png?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/Grand-Corruption-and-the-SDGs_Guatemala_FINAL.pdf)