168,000 Days Asking Permission to Open a Port

History and development of Guatemala's ports following the country's new national port system law.

In 1565, Guatemala began seeking permission to restore its natural outlet to the Pacific. There were reports, financing and authorizations, but the project never materialized. More than 168,000 days later, a new port law has given the country another tool. This essay asks how we will know whether Guatemala actually uses it this time.