One of the sticking points is the status of the majority indigenous Indian population, who are still suffering human rights violations. It seems likely that the URNG, although not fielding candidates themselves, will support a left wing candidate at the next presidential elections. This is the result of consternation at the likely candidature of Efrain Rios Montt, the right wing president of Congress and a former military dictator during the worst years of government atrocities. The Guatemalan economy is founded primarily on agriculture, but there is also a substantial manufacturing industry which includes textiles, paper and pharmaceuticals. The leading crop is coffee but bananas, cotton and sugar are also important.
Environmentalists fear the destruction of large tracts of virgin forest.
Meanwhile illegal logging operations and drug trafficking plague this region. Guatemala suffers from widespread poverty and requires support from the International Monetary Fund, who in turn have demanded tax reforms.