This Central Américan country made its debut in the OTI festival in 1974 when the contest was being held in the Mexican tourist city of Acapulco.

Guatemala and its OTI member TV Station, Televisiete participated in the event almost uninterruptedly and withdrew only twice, in 1978 and 1979.

[1] The country managed to reach the top 10 again in 1976 with Hugo Leonel Baccaro and in 1980 with Grupo Madrigal.

Following the example of México, Chile and later Cuba, Televisiete also created its own national selection process for Guatemala.

As in the other countries where a preselection was organised, the winner act, who would represent the country in the Song Contest was elected by a professional jury who voted for their favourite performers.