The tourist boycott of Guatemala is an example of the power of the unions. In December 1979 the International Union of Food and Allied Workers, comprising 160 national unions, called for a tourist boycott because of the violation of human rights. This struck at the heart of a growth sector of Guatemalan economy. Two years later tourism had been reduced by 50 percent. The worldwide campaign lasted until 1986.

See also: Human rights in Guatemala collection; Archives X min Y beweging