Highlights from NISGUA’s February 2020 Solidarity Update include: 21st Celebration of the Day of Dignification for Victims February 25th marked the 21st anniversary of the presentation of the UN-sponsored Historical Clarification Commission Report for Truth and Reconciliation. The report, Guatemala:… Read More ›
Solidarity in Action
In Resistance, there is Revival: Delegation Reflection
From February 22-29th, a Canadian delegation visited communities and organizations resisting the Escobal mine in Guatemala. The delegation was organized by BTS and Mining Watch. Charlotte Connolly writes about the experience. The week-long delegation to the Escobal Mine, facilitated by… Read More ›
Guatemala: violence against women
On International Women’s Day gender equity is still a long way off. Nathalie Mercier, of Christian Aid, writes in LAB – Latin America Bureau. The 8th March is celebrated as International Women’s Day. However, in Guatemala for the past three… Read More ›
Commemoration of the Xococ Massacre
Laura Robinson, from Breaking the Silence (BTS), accompanied the Rabinal Legal Clinic and The New Hope Foundation School to what had been used as a clandestine cemetery in Xococ, a town outside of Rabinal. It was the 38th anniversary of… Read More ›
Guatemala: New Law Threatens NGOs's Work
Amnesty International have launched an urgent action in response to the threatened new law. ‘On 11 February the Guatemalan Congress enacted Decree 4-2020 (formerly known as Bill 5257). This initiative imposes undue restrictions, controls and sanctions on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)…. Read More ›
PBI-Guatemala visits La Puya blockade at entrance to gold mine
This post from Brent Patterson on the PBI-Canada website. On February 13, the Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project posted, “Yesterday we visited the Peaceful Resistance of La Puya camp, composed of 12 communities of San Pedro Ayampuc and San José del… Read More ›
Revolving Door Raises Concern about Corporate influence over Escobal Mine Consultation
“Just weeks into his administration, President Giammattei has already declared martial law in two municipalities opposed to resource extraction. He also promised to fast-track a highly controversial law to regulate the consultation process. While sure to be contested, many fear… Read More ›
Drugs, mining, monoculture threaten Guatemala’s mangrove ecosystems
On Guatemala’s Caribbean coast, criminal activity is destroying mangroves and the livelihoods of families who depend on them. Yet Guatemala’s mangrove ecosystems are connected to those of Honduras, Belize and Mexico. What happens to one affects the others. Francelia Solano… Read More ›
Guatemala, a New President while the Old Leaves With Further Repression and Impunity
Lisa Rankin, of Breaking the Silence, writes on their blog site about the change-over but lack of change. January 14 was the inauguration of the new Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei. He is known as a hard-line right-wing conservative with a… Read More ›
What the CICIG Taught Guatemala
Irma A. Velasquez Nimatuj writes on the Americas Program website about the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG by its acronym in Spanish). It is a timely piece, as President Morales is about to step down from his role… Read More ›