Why are Guatemalan adoptions closed?

Guatemala was once one of the world’s most popular adoption destinations, but stopped the practice after mass corruption was exposed.

When did Adoptions stop in Guatemala?

Money was the key to international adoption in Guatemala. The country closed to international adoption on January 1, 2008, so that its system could be reformed.

Is adoption a trafficking?

However, according to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, a child adopted by families without the biological parents’ consent is considered a victim of human trafficking.

Who was involved in an adoption ring in Guatemala?

Edmond Mulet, a former diplomat for the United Nations and a recent presidential candidate in the Guatemalan elections, was accused of participating in an illegal adoption ring in the 1980s when he was a young lawyer.

Is it possible to adopt a child from Guatemala?

Guatemala is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions are not currently possible between Guatemala and the United States because the Government of Guatemala is not processing intercountry adoptions with any country at this time.

Is there an intercountry adoption certificate for Guatemala?

The Department of State remains unable to issue Hague Adoption Certificates or Hague Custody Declarations for new intercountry adoptions from Guatemala, because as of April 1, 2008, when the United States joined the Convention, Guatemala did not and still today does not have a Hague process in place.

When did Guatemala pass the Hague Adoption Convention?

In December 2007, Guatemala passed new adoption legislation that incorporated the Hague Adoption Convention into Guatemala’s adoption system, created the Guatemalan National Adoption Council (CNA), and established a transition period for cases initiated prior to its enactment.