“Let’s suppose we were willing to meet with them [indigenous leaders and communities],” he said, “how would we even know where to find them?” Anita Isaacs writes a thoughtful and interesting piece in Plaza Pública about five traits of the… Read More ›
Corruption
“Whether on the Court or Not, I Swore to Protect the Constitution”
“This is an affront to democracy, and each and every citizen of the country should be offended,” José Luis Sanz presents an interesting and timely interview with Magistrate Gloria Porras in El Faro English. As presented here, and elsewhere, the… Read More ›
Composition of New Guatemalan Constitutional Court
Peace Brigades International recently posted about the composition if the new Constitutional Court in Guatemala – here is a summary. On March 10, 2021, appointments to the Constitutional Court were complete. Five titular, or permanent, judges and five alternate judges… Read More ›
Guatemalan Congress refuses to appoint graft-fighting top judge
“We are deeply concerned by today’s maneuver to delay the swearing in of a selected constitutional court magistrate. This undermines Guatemala’s commitment to an independent judiciary and addressing systemic corruption,” Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of… Read More ›
A Final Blow to Guatemala’s Justice System
It is crucial that in the coming years, new coalitions coalesce between businesses, civil society, Indigenous peoples, and international allies, to promote a democratization of the country. Otherwise, the only path forward will be the one that leads to authoritarianism…. Read More ›
US and Canadian Organizations Alarmed Over Illegal Mining
A blog post on MiningWatch Canada links to a letter sent to the CEO of Goldex Resources about illegal mining in Guatemala. Seven organizations, including MiningWatch Canada, sent a letter to the President & CEO and Director of Goldex Resources… Read More ›
Prosecutions Against Members of the Constitutional Court of Guatemala Should Stop
A recent post by the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) highlights the continuing struggle against impunity in Guatemala and calls on Guatemala to ensure that judges are permitted to decide cases free of any “pressures, threats or interference, direct or… Read More ›
Interview with wrongfully imprisoned Maya Q’eqchi river defender Bernardo Caal Xol
Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project posted a video of its Acércate (‘come closer’) interview with Maya Q’eqchi river defender Bernardo Caal Xol in prison in Cobán, Alta Verapaz. Caal Xol is a leader of the Peaceful Resistance of Cahabón, a collective… Read More ›
A Guatemalan Judge under Siege
Elsa Coronado has written, in Plaza Pública, about the challenges facing Judge Erika Aifán in her work against corruption. An English version, translated by Max Granger, appears in the El Faro English site. Judge Erika Aifán may not be as… Read More ›
Statement of ABA President Patricia Lee Refo Re: Appointment of magistrates in Guatemala
The American Bar Association has put out a statement voicing their concerns regarding the appointment of magistrates to the Constitutional Court. WASHINGTON, March 12, 2021 – The American Bar Association is deeply concerned by media accounts and reports from human… Read More ›
Guatemala Solidarity Network 