“We Are Defending Life:” The Criminalization of Environmental and Indigenous Rights Activists in Guatemala

April 10, 2015 Jeff Abbott 0

The community of Santa Cruz Barillas is protesting the construction of dams in their territory, including the Santa Cruz hydroelectric project owned by the Spanish firm Ecoener Hydro Energy, as part of the regional energy integration project called for in Plan Mesoamerica. The project has been plagued by human rights violations, including the failure of the Guatemalan government and companies to consult the indigenous communities prior to construction. The community fought back, and has paid dearly for their resistance to the projects within their territory.

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Guatemalan Activist Murdered Near Mine Site

April 10, 2015 Oxfam 0

Human rights groups are calling for investigation of the killing of a member of group critical of proposal to expand silver mine. Oxfam’s office in Guatemala is joining with 23 other organizations to call for […]

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Guatemala: How a Pseudo-Military Project Was Created to Protect the Escobal Mine

One of the most dramatic events took place on April 27, 2013, when private security guards from the company Alfa Uno – associated with the Israeli company Golan Group – acted on orders of the then-head of security Alberto Rotondo Dall’Orso and indiscriminately shot at community members who were peacefully protesting in front of mining facilities in San Rafael Las Flores. Seven community members were injured.

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