Author Archives

• “Fear has made me braver and that’s why I want to keep fighting”

  By kevodell on August 3, 2021 • ( 0 )

  ACOGUATE has published a piece about the struggle of the people of Ixquisis Microregion against the imposition of large megaprojects, through the words of María Hernández, a human rights defender. For the past three years, María Hernández has represented women… Read More ›

• As Pandemic Pummels Guatemala, Government Stalls

  By kevodell on August 3, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Jeff Abbott wrote recently, in El Faro English, of the desperate situation in Guatemala regarding the COVID pandemic, and the government’s poor response, rooted in corruption, while noting that “the president is indifferent”. It is within this crisis context that… Read More ›

• Guatemalan Communities Turn Out for Indigenous-Led Nationwide Shutdown

  By kevodell on August 2, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Sandra Cuffe writes in The Intercept about the national strike that took place on 29th July in response to the events surrounding the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval and his flight out of Guatemala. The ‘Paro Nacional’ was called by… Read More ›

• UN Human Rights – Stop treating indigenous human rights defenders like criminals

  By kevodell on July 29, 2021 • ( 0 )

  United Nations human rights experts have expressed concerns over the criminalisation, violations of due process, and health rights of Bernardo Caal Xól, a Q’eqchi’ Maya Indigenous leader and Guatemalan human rights defender. “Mr. Bernardo Caal Xól has been criminalised because… Read More ›

• US curbs work with Guatemala after anti-corruption leader removed

  By kevodell on July 28, 2021 • ( 0 )

  A new piece on Al Jazeera on a response of the U.S government of the recent sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval. The United States has said it will pause some cooperation with Guatemala’s criminal prosecutor after the head of a… Read More ›

• Despite Outrage, Guatemala Continues to Bulldoze Anti-Corruption Edifice

  By kevodell on July 27, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Alex Papadovassilakis writes in InSight Crime on the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval last week from his post as head of FECI, Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity, and after-shocks. The dismissal of Juan Francisco Sandoval, the country’s leading anti-corruption prosecutor,… Read More ›

• “It’s Hard to Find an Honest Judge in Guatemala Now”

  By kevodell on July 26, 2021 • ( 0 )

  Ahead of the news of the sacking of Juan Francisco Sandoval, the head of FECI, at the weekend, El Faro published an interview with leading Guatemalan human rights advocate, Helen Mack. Alongside Sandoval, Gloria Porras, Érika Aifán, and Jordán Rodas,… Read More ›

• Guatemala’s Top Anti-Corruption Attorney Flees Country

  By kevodell on July 26, 2021 • ( 0 )

  On Saturday, July 24th, El Faro published a breaking news note regarding the sacking of Guatemala’s leading prosecutor and chief anti-corruption figure, Juan Francisco Sandoval, and his subsequent flight to safety. Needless to say, these events will have serious consequences… Read More ›

• When Justice Prevails

  By kevodell on July 22, 2021 • ( 0 )

  In the latest newsletter, from Skylight, Pamela Yates features an interview with Kate Doyle of the National Security Archive (NSA). A powerful recent example [of justice cascade] comes from Guatemala, a small country yet one where human rights defenders have… Read More ›

• High-Risk Courts judges continue to face challenges

  By kevodell on July 17, 2021 • ( 0 )

  A series of tweets from Maritimes-Guatemala Breaking the Silence Network highlight the challenges facing the rule of law and judicial independence that the elites are trying to disband. The tweets are accompanied by graphics, as above, containing more information about… Read More ›