ABOUT US
About the Ambassador
Ambassador Karanko has a solid track record in the Finnish diplomatic service, having held several key positions. From September 2022 to August 2025, she served as Finland's Ambassador to Brazil, where she contributed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoted sustainable development initiatives. Previously, from September 2018 to August 2022, she was Finland's Consul General in Hong Kong and Macao, where she facilitated economic and cultural cooperation between Finland and the region.
Her experience at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is remarkable. Between 2017 and 2018, she led the Sustainable Development and Climate Policy Unit, and between 2014 and 2017, she was Director of the United Nations Development Affairs Unit. These roles positioned her as an influential voice in promoting development and sustainability policies at the international level.
In addition, Ambassador Karanko has held senior positions at Finland's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, as well as at the Finnish Embassy in France, where she focused on foreign policy and security issues. Her career also includes experience in Venezuela and Brazil, where she has cultivated a deep understanding of international and regional dynamics.
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CopyrightJohanna Karanko
The Ambassador of the European Union in Guatemala, Mrs. Johanna Karanko
Greetings from the Ambassador
Dear friends,
It is an honor to address you as Ambassador of the European Union to Guatemala. I take on this commitment with enthusiasm and with the firm conviction to continue strengthening our partnership and cooperation.
The European Union and Guatemala have been friends for many years, and will continue to be so. We share the same values of democracy, the importance of the rule of law, and respect for human rights: supporting the country in its development, always within a framework of respect, solidarity, and joint work. Our goal is to contribute to the well-being of the Guatemalan people by promoting initiatives that drive modernization, sustainability, equality, and social inclusion.
Guatemala occupies an important place in the region, both for its economic potential and for its cultural and natural wealth. That is why we will continue to promote spaces for dialogue and projects that strengthen opportunities for sustainable development for its citizens, working hand in hand with institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
I am convinced that, through collaboration, we can generate concrete and lasting results that respond to the challenges of the present and open up new opportunities for the future.
Sincerely,
Johanna Karanko
We invite you to learn more about the European Union and our work in Guatemala through this website and our different social networks.