Public Understandings of Repair: Interpreting Integral and Transformative Reparations in Guatemala

In the field of transitional justice, integral and transformative approaches to reparations have gained prominence. These approaches share a commitment to addressing the root causes of harm, fostering societal change, recognizing victims as rights‐holders and, in many cases, promoting community development. Yet, little is known about how such reparations are understood by the broader public. This article presents empirical findings from a secondary analysis of survey data collected from 300 Guatemalan respondents, on the topic of reparations for Indigenous victims of the internal armed conflict. Findings reveal that public understandings of reparations coalesce around three core themes: rights and justice, healing and reconciliation, and economic progress and development. Where these themes — or a combination thereof — are interpreted in ways that emphasize structural change, recognition and social inclusion, they often resonate with the principles of transformative justice and underpin strong support for reparations. However, each theme is also subject to contested, ambivalent and narrow interpretations that inform scepticism or opposition. Insights into these multifaceted public understandings contribute to bridging the gap between legal‐normative proposals and the implementability of repair in polarized post‐conflict settings.