BTS condemns criminalization of Ancestral Authorities who put their bodies and their lives on the line for democracy

Luis Pacheco and Hectór Chaclán criminalized for their role in protecting democracy. Photo credit: Meme Solano via Prensa Comunitaria In its latest attack on Indigenous Peoples’ collective organizing and democracy itself, the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP) unjustly arrested Luis Pacheco and Héctor Chaclán, the former president and former [...]

2025-04-24T11:40:13-04:00April 24th, 2025|Current Events in Guate|

Ongoing eviction attempts, violence, and police repression in CCDA communities in Izabal

Ongoing eviction attempts, violence, and police repression in CCDA communities in Izabal The CCDA and a human rights commission from Costa Rica documented the inhumane conditions Q'eqchi' families in Izabal, who have been victims of evictions, have been experiencing. Photo credit: CCDA On April 7th, 2025 the communities [...]

Far-reaching eviction threat continues, as Tierra Nueva faces eviction attempt

Police attempt to evict the Tierra Nueva community. Photo credit: CCDA. On March 24th, a large contingent of police arrived at the Maya Q'eqchi' community of Tierra Nueva, located in the Alta Verapaz department. The police presented an eviction document, signed by judge Mildred Karina Juárez Alvarado, which [...]

With Less than a Month to Inauguration, Indigenous Authorities Continue to Push Back Against Coup Attempts

Ancestral Authorities stand alongside the President and Vice President elect. Photo: Festivales Solidarios Inauguration is around the corner: on January 14, Berardo Arévalo should assume the presidency, following his landslide win in August. But Guatemala's "Pact of the Corrupt" is pulling out all the stops to try to [...]

2024-10-31T11:42:55-04:00December 18th, 2023|Current Events in Guate|

Public Prosecutor’s Office Continues Criminalization of Popular Dissent, Election Winners

Public Prosecutor's Office Continues Criminalization of Popular Dissent, Election Winners Four of those detained yesterday continue to call for an autonomous USAC. Photo credit: Still from Diego España video. Yesterday morning, the Public Prosecutor’s office (MP) went on a criminalization rampage, announcing 27 arrest warrants, detaining five peoples [...]

2023-11-17T18:22:27-04:00November 17th, 2023|Current Events in Guate|

100+ Organizations Demand Justice for Assassination of Xinka Leader Noé Gómez Barrera

More than a Hundred Organizations Demand Justice for Assassination of Xinka Leader Noé Gómez Barrera A sign commemorating Noé Gómez Barrera's life says, "Martyr of the social struggle: Human Rights Defender Noé Gómez Barrera. We will follow the example of his struggle." Following the murder of Xinka human [...]

2023-11-17T12:57:27-04:00November 6th, 2023|Current Events in Guate|

Indigenous Authorities Organize National Strike to Demand Resignation of Corrupt Actors, Defend Democracy

Indigenous Authorities Launch National Strike to Demand Resignation of Corrupt Actors, Defend Democracy The Highlands’ Committee of Small Scale Farmers (CCDA) protests in front of the Public Prosecutor's office. For the last 10 days, Guatemala has been on an indefinite national strike. Since Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera [...]

2024-10-31T11:42:27-04:00October 11th, 2023|Current Events in Guate|

International Organizations Send Letter of Concern to Guatemalan Government, International Diplomatic Corps

Español abajo On Monday, October 9, a host of international solidarity and human rights organizations sent a letter indicating their serious concern in the face of attempts by the Public Prosecutor's office to prevent the peaceful transition of power through the judicialization of election results and the criminalization of any [...]

Interview with CCDA’s Marcelo Sabuc on Ongoing Protests in Guatemala

Julian Marcelo Sabuc Xalcut (CCDA) gives an interview about protests in front of the Public Prosecutor's Office. [Find the original video of the interview below] BTS: Good afternoon, could you tell me your name and the organization you represent? Marcelo (CCDA): Good afternoon, I’m Julian Marcelo Sabuc Xalcut, [...]

Criminalization Threatens Struggles for Justice in Guatemala

Over the past decade in Guatemala, criminalization has increasingly served as a strategy to stifle public participation in civic life. In most cases, Guatemalan authorities have collaborated with both business and military interests to criminalize those who seek justice and fight against impunity. Unending criminalization of Indigenous land defenders Early [...]

2024-10-31T11:25:14-04:00September 25th, 2023|Current Events in Guate|
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