Cronología completa
Complete Timeline
A chronology of the Arzú and García Granados record of public service, and of Roberto Arzú's own career in business and politics.
The family record
- 1900
Jorge García Granados is born
Born in Guatemala City into one of the country's most prominent liberal families, he becomes a lawyer, politician, writer and diplomat.
- May 1947
Guatemala joins UNSCOP
The United Nations creates the Special Committee on Palestine and asks eleven member states to recommend a solution. Guatemala names García Granados as its representative.
- August 1947
The majority recommendation
The committee's majority recommends partition. García Granados supports it and argues the case among Latin American delegations.
- November 29, 1947
Resolution 181 passes
The General Assembly approves partition with 33 votes in favor, 13 against and 10 abstentions. Guatemala votes yes.
- July 12, 1955
First ambassador to Israel
García Granados presents his credentials in Jerusalem as Guatemala's first ambassador to the State of Israel.
- 1956
The first embassy in Jerusalem
Guatemala becomes the first country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
- 1961
Death of Jorge García Granados
His name endures in Israeli streets and in Guatemala's diplomatic academy.
A president in the family
- 1965
Roberto Arzú is born in Guatemala City
Born into a family with one of the strongest traditions of public service in the country.
- 1996
The Peace Accords
His father, President Álvaro Arzú Irigoyen, signs the accords that end thirty-six years of internal armed conflict.
- Five terms
Mayor of Guatemala City
Álvaro Arzú serves five terms as mayor, driving a deep urban and administrative transformation of the capital.
Three decades in business
- 1980s
First ventures
Roberto Arzú begins his business activity young, launching projects across several sectors at once.
- 1980s–1990s
Building a portfolio
More than three decades of work across real estate development, construction, commerce, advertising and services, alongside years in sports and entertainment management.
- Ongoing
Marina del Sur and beyond
High-end oceanfront residential communities, commercial complexes, advertising companies and convenience-store chains.
- Cumulative
+70 ventures, +30,000 jobs
Participation in the creation, expansion and consolidation of more than seventy ventures, contributing to more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs in Guatemala.
National politics
- 2019
Presidential candidacy
Roberto Arzú receives roughly 267,000 votes, establishing himself as a national figure able to reach a frustrated electorate.
- 2023
Candidacy blocked
His candidacy for the 2023 election is vetoed. He attributes the decision to a system defending itself against accountability, and to then-President Alejandro Giammattei.
- After 2023
Leadership of Cabal
He becomes the principal leader of Cabal, a party with presence in more than 100 municipal governments, a legislative presence and a consolidated national structure.
Today
- Present
The case in Washington
Arzú takes the argument to Washington and across the hemisphere: secure borders, less illegal migration, defeating drug trafficking and organized crime, free markets and genuine democracy.
- Present
Against the Pact of the Corrupt
He continues to demand accountability from the network of officials, judges and private actors that protects those who abuse power in Guatemala.
- Present
A regional platform
He argues Guatemala's location, young population and logistics potential can make it a regional platform for manufacturing, commerce, services and exports.