Guatemala's US$1.2 Billion Notes Rated 'BB-'

MEXICO CITY (S&P Global Ratings) May 23, 2019--S&P Global Ratings today assigned its 'BB-' issue rating on Guatemala's US$1.2 billion senior unsecured notes, US$500 million due in May 2029 and US$700 million due in May 2049. Guatemala will use the proceeds from the issuance to pay interest and principal on its outstanding debt obligations and the remainder to finance social and infrastructure programs and capital expenditures. The rating on the notes is the same as the long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Guatemala. Our ratings on Guatemala reflect our opinion that recurrent political instability and weak government institutions continue to affect Guatemala's economic growth prospects. GDP growth at the current level would be insufficient to consistently reduce the country's

...May 23, 2019 MEXICO CITY (S&P Global Ratings) May 23, 2019--S&P Global Ratings today assigned its '##-' issue rating on Guatemala's US$1.2 billion senior unsecured notes, US$500 million due in May 2029 and US$700 million due in May 2049. Guatemala will use the proceeds from the issuance to pay interest and principal on its outstanding debt obligations and the remainder to finance social and infrastructure programs and capital expenditures. The rating on the notes is the same as the long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on Guatemala. Our ratings on Guatemala reflect our opinion that recurrent political instability and weak government institutions continue to affect Guatemala's economic growth prospects. GDP growth at the current level would be insufficient to consistently reduce the country's poverty level. On the other hand, we expect that a limited fiscal deficit and a balanced current account over the next two years will lead to a low debt level. Additionally, sound monetary...

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