Tim May writes in New Socialist about the recent demonstrations in Guatemala, including the recent Paro nacional and places the moment within a period of increasing grass-roots mobilisation. Indigenous authorities are increasingly finding their voice within national politics but still… Read More ›
Resource Extraction
“Fear has made me braver and that’s why I want to keep fighting”
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 ›
UN Human Rights – Stop treating indigenous human rights defenders like criminals
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 ›
The community of Chicoyogüito and their struggle for justice
On the 28th July, 1968, the community of Chicoyogüito, in Alta Verapaz, was evicted from its lands in order to instal the former Military Zone 21 (ZM 21), which became a detention centre, as well as a site for massacres… Read More ›
Guatemala’s Disappeared – Fault Lines
In 2017, Al Jazeera produced the film ‘Guatemala’s Disappeared’ as part of their Fault Lines series. It still resonates today especially with the current hearing into the Diario Militar case. The film features the work of the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology… Read More ›
To the General Public, The Peaceful Resistance of La Puya states..
The Peaceful Resistance of La Puya (La Resistencia Pacifica La Puya) published the above announcement regarding the encroachment of members of the National Police into their camp. To the General Public, The Peaceful Resistance of La Puya states: 1. The… Read More ›
“We Are Here by Force”: Maya Ixil Activists Fight for Asylum and Justice
The stories of two Guatemalan asylum seekers highlight the deep roots of forced migration from Central America and the U.S. role in the ongoing displacement. María Inés Taracena writes in NACLA about colonialism, resistance, violence, displacement, and migration affecting the… Read More ›
Reactivation of Cerro Blanco Mining Project
In a series of tweets, in Spanish, The Extractive Industries Observatory (El Observatorio de Industrias Extractivas – OIE) has introduced a thread about the Cerro Blanco mining project in Jutiapa, and its re-opening by Bluestone Resources. The OIE was created… Read More ›
U.S. Policy Toward Central America Continues Legacy of Displacement
U.S.-sponsored militarization and neoliberal policies will not lead to structural changes in Guatemala and instead preserve the status quo that forces many to migrate. Gio B’atz’ (Giovanni Batz) writes in the NACLA website about poverty, oppression, and displacement as everyday… Read More ›
Guatemala, a high-risk country for environmental defenders, has not ratified the Escazú Agreement
Regina Pérez writes in Prensa Comunitaria about the Escazú Agreement and what it means for environment and land defenders, who continue to face serious threats in their daly lives. In Guatemala, according to Front Line Defenders (FLD), 15 human rights… Read More ›