Laura Carlsen writes in Z about the mobilisation of Indigenous people in defence of democracy, and the role of Indigenous women within that struggle. After the election of Bernardo Arévalo, the corrupt elites tried to turn back the clock and… Read More ›
Racism
In defense of Atitlán Lake
María Guarchaj and Teresa Gonón write in Ojalá about the challenges facing communities that live by, and depend on, Lago Atitlán. While it is true that the lake has been suffering from environmental degradation, attempts to profit from technical responses… Read More ›
Honouring Indigenous resistance in Totonicapán: interview with Maya K’iché exile Lucía Ixchíu
Linda Etchart, for Latin America Bureau, interviewed environment defender Lucía Ixchíu, of the K´iché Maya of Totonicapán, a community famous for its ‘48 Cantons’ resistance movement. Totonicapán was the second most important city of the K’iché and the headquarters of… Read More ›
Indigenous People’s Rights – The theory versus the reality
Lorna Ní Shúilleabháin, a former field volunteer with PBI in Guatemala, writes on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, August 9th, on the theory of Indigenous rights against the reality in Guatemala. This year to celebrate the International Day… Read More ›
Guatemala Archdiocese a force behind genocide trial of retired general
Mary Jo McConahay writes in the National Catholic Reporter on the trial of former Gen. Manuel Benedicto Lucas García on charges of genocide. Lucas has already been convicted of crimes against humanity, for the massacre of more than 1,200 Indigenous… Read More ›
The Indigenous Resistance Puts Its Doubts and Hopes in Arévalo’s Hands
Shortly after Bernardo Arévalo was inaugurated as President, Roman Gressier wrote a piece in El Faro English on the resistance led by Indigenous peoples in ensuring that the will of the people was carried out so that the inauguration took… Read More ›
When the Mountains Tremble: 40th Anniversary
The film-maker, Pamela Yates, of Skylight writes on the 40th anniversary of her hugely important film, When the Mountains Tremble, and its relevance for today. Although it’s been four decades since Mountains launched at the first Sundance Film Festival and… Read More ›
The Lasting Legacy of the Rios Montt Guilty Verdict
Pamela Yates, the film-maker with Skylight Pictures, recently presented a piece marking the ten year anniversary of the guilty verdict against General Efraín Ríos Montt for genocide and crimes against humanity. Today (May 10, 2023) marks the day when General… Read More ›
The Massacre of Rancho Bejuco
David Toro Escobar writes in La Prensa Latina about the trial of nine former members of the Guatemalan army regarding the 1982 massacre of Rancho Bejuco. Of the 25 indigenous Achi Maya peoples killed, 17 were children. Rancho Bejuco, is… Read More ›
Peaceful Resistance of La Puya expects ICSID ruling in June as consultation process on El Tambor mine set to start this summer
On March 2, 2012, area residents, who had not been consulted about this mine, set up a 24-hour a day blockade at the entrance to the mine site. Within weeks, on May 8, 2012, the women of the Peaceful Resistance… Read More ›