(JTA) — Guatemala has recognized Palestine as a state.
Several Latin American countries have recognized Palestine as a state in the last two years.
The Guatemalan president’s office said in a statement that it decided to "recognize the State of Palestine as a free, sovereign and independent state" in order to "gain new momentum" in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
"The decision in no way alters Guatemala’s long tradition of friendship and cooperation with the State of Israel, a relationship the Guatemalan government highly values," the statement said.
Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Chile, Peru and Guyana all have recognized an independent Palestinian state, some specifying that it be located within 1967 borders.
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