Textile Entrepreneur Carlos Arias Bouscayrol Assumes CACIF Presidency for 2026-2027

Guatemala's private sector has a new leader at the helm of CACIF, the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, and Financial Associations. Carlos Roberto Arias Bouscayrol, a prominent textile businessman and current vice president of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport), officially took over the presidency for the 2026-2027 term on April 13th. He succeeds Charles Bland, who concluded his tenure leading the organization.

Arias Bouscayrol's agenda is packed with critical issues facing the nation. A primary focus will be observing and ensuring the integrity of the general elections scheduled for next year. Additionally, his leadership will involve monitoring the progress and implementation of significant legislation currently under discussion in the Congress of the Republic, such as the Port Law and the Anti-Money Laundering Law. The private sector also awaits the future appointments of key monetary authorities and the Superintendent of Banks (SIB).

The new CACIF president's responsibilities extend beyond domestic policy. The organization will also track initiatives aimed at improving Guatemala's critical infrastructure, including ongoing projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Externally, CACIF will be closely monitoring U.S. tariff and immigration policies, as well as the broader global economic repercussions stemming from international geopolitical conflicts, which have already led to increased oil prices and costs for essential inputs.