The community of Quesada, Jutiapa celebrated a historic victory on March 24, after a three year struggle against Alternative Renewable Energy, a Guatemalan-based company which cut down over 25,000 trees to plant eucalyptus to be used as an energy source.

Seven community members, including Alesiar Arana still have criminal charges against them for their peaceful resistance to the project. Their next date to appear in court in April 23, 2019.

To read more, visit us here. 

Upcoming hearing for Antonio Camey

The criminalization case against Antonio Camey, community leader from Estanzuelas, San Rafael las Flores continues to move forward. Camey is accused of attempts against the security of public utility services, activity against the security of the nation, coercion, threats and instigation to commit crimes by electricity company ENERGUATE and Minera San Rafael, subsidiary of Pan American Silver, owners of the Escobal mine in San Rafael las Flores. Camey’s next hearing is set for April 11.

The upcoming elections have been marred in controversy and there is still a lack of clarity on the top three presidential candidates in Guatemala: Thelma Aldana, Sandra Torres and Zury Rios. Leocadio Juracan’s candidacy as a member of Congress was also in jeopardy, but last week he was able to enroll as a candidate for a member of Congress on the national list. Sandra Moran, BTS speaker at the 2018 AGM, has chosen not to run for re-election. A number of other members of the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA) are running for elected positions, including Marcelo Sabuc, BTS’s fall speaking tour guest. Martin Perez, who has provide bus services for many BTS delegations, will also be running as a member of Congress.

This elections have already proven to be violent, withl a number of candidates already murdered. BTS will be following the elections closely and will ongoing updates! For more information, visit us here. 

Upcoming hearing in the case of 36 Achi women & update on Amnesty Law

On April 22- 23, the intermediary phase of the hearing against six men accused of sexual violence against 36 Achi women from Rabinal, Guatemala will continue. The court is set to decide if there is enough evidence to send the hearing to trial. The survivors have denounced continued threats and intimidation by the families of the accused, many of whom still live in the same communities as the women.

On February 13, two women from involved in the case, Paulina Alvarado y Pedrina Ixpata, presented an injunction to the proposed amendments to the National Reconciliation Law, which would grant amnesty and allow those convicted of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes to be released from jail and end all ongoing trials for these crimes, including their trial.

Thank you to all to responded to our urgent call for action on the National Reconciliation Law! Due to international and local pressure, the day of the vote in Congress, many members walked out of the room, leading to a lack of quorum. While it is still possible the third reading of the bill could be in the future, it most likely will not be on the agenda for Congress again until at least the end of the first round of elections on June 16. We will keep an eye on this bill as there is the possibility it could be on the agenda once again.

Threats against Xinka Parliament Lawyer Kelvin Jimenez

Leocadio Juracan, Member of Congress and former national coordinator of the CCDA, held a congressional hearing on March 21 to question state institutions such as Guatemala's Ministry of Energy and Mines on the ongoing work of the consultation of the Xinka people on the Escobal mine. The project is owned by Canadian company, Pan American Silver, and their subsidiary Minera San Rafael. Members of the Xinka Parliament and Xinka community were also in attendance. Lawyer for the Xinka Parliament, Kelvin Jimenez called out the Ministries for perjury. Read more here. 

Report back: #NosDuelen56 Speaking tour with Mayra Jimenez of Ocho Tijax

Mayra Jimenez of Ocho Tijax spoke throughout the Maritimes from February 28th to March 9th, in lead up to the 2nd anniversary of the Hogar Seguro tragedy. She visited Fredericton, Sackville, Halifax, Antigonish and Tatamagouche, sharing the story of the 56 girls.

Check out this report back for an overview of the speaking tour, including photos, a link to video and media coverage! Thanks to the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation for support through the Public Engagement Fund. 

Dear Sandra and Leocadio,

Hello from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. We’re writing to let you know we are following recent political events in Guatemala with friendship and concern.  We’ve heard about the pressure you are experiencing from people who want to muffle your voices.  We send our respect and continued solidarity for your continuing efforts to give political voice to Guatemala’s Indigenous and farming communities. 

You may remember some of our faces in this photo from Sandra’s 2018 visit to our town.  Many of us met Leocadio both here and at the CCDA in Guatemala. 

In solidarity,  BTS Antigonish local committee

For more information, including bursaries and how to register, visit us here.