Crisis along the Rio Dulce: The Death of Mario Caal

La Ensenada Puntarenas Hamlet. Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala.
March 18, 2008.
Issue: Justice / Impunity / Land

The imposing Rio Dulce (Sweet River), a spectacular body of water which connects Lake Izabal with the Caribbean port city of Livingston, measures approximately 35 kilometers (or 22 miles) in length. Such trajectory is without a doubt one of Guatemala’s principal tourist attractions. Nevertheless, this same area has witnessed during the past month the development of a transcendental conflict which, appropriately analyzed, reveals the somber truth beneath current Guatemalan internal affairs.

“At the bottom of this conflict we can find a number of intertwined economic interests for the use of land in the region where basic survival needs of entire communities cross paths with environmentally protected areas as well as tourist projects. Additionally, powerful interests in mining, livestock, and the agricultural development of African Palm [presumably for bio-fuels], also play important roles in the area. This is just one more of the many conflicts which have arisen in Izabal which underline the urgent need to find a solution for the agrarian land problem – one which has been a source of conflict in successive governments.” (1)

On March 15th, combined police-military raids took place in communities affiliated to the local peasant organization named Encuentro Campesino (Peasant Encounter). In La Ensenada Puntarenas Hamlet, the violent incursion ended with the tragic extrajudicial execution of local peasant leader Mario Caal Bolom by the State security forces. (Photo of Mario Caal’s body as he was found: Anti-Imperialist Block). (2)

Last month’s events, such as the retention of 29 police officers and 4 Belgian tourists by local Maya Q’eqchi’ indigenous peasants demanding the liberation of Encuentro Campesino’s leader Ramiro Choc in addition to the legalization of their communities’ land status, are clearly illegal and highly desperate measures which can only indicate growing despair. Choc’s own legal status, accused of usurping landholdings, must be cleared by the judicial system, as many irregularities have been pronounced on both ends. Nevertheless, the extrajudicial execution of a local peasant by the State’s security forces is a clear and direct violation of human rights.

“Although the media and official State vision have personified and focused the conflict in Izabal around the figure of Ramiro Choc and his supposedly criminal activities, it is necessary to take a close look at the structural factors of the conflict: First, the unequal distribution of land and wealth, both at national and local levels. One can only expect serious conflicts, even violent ones, in a country where 2% of the land owners posses 62.5% of the surface, while 94% of the population (including the indigenous peasants from Izabal) only have access to 18.60%.” (3)

During the wake and burial of Mario Caal Bolom, several community members of La Ensenada Puntarenas shared their experiences and views of the regional problematic as well as the violent events in their community.

“Here, we are neither taking over nor invading any land. This community is the inheritance of our ancestors, of the elders who died in order to leave us this territory. Why does the government tag us as if we were occupying or invading land? No, this is part of the history of La Ensenada Puntarenas. This community was registered on February 21, 1940. I have the file right there. The CONAP (National Council of Protected Areas) and CECON (Center for Conservationist Studied) also have copies. But now they call us squatters and claim we are occupying land which belongs to someone else. No, what happens is that the State does this so as to avoid giving land to the peasants.” (4)

“No, Gentlemen. We are a community with a history, with facts. We are a peasant group which did not organize itself yesterday. Hence, we deeply feel the spilling of blood of our friend and neighbor. We hope the State of Guatemala assumes its responsibility. Our brother Mario left a family; he left children behind; he left a number of responsibilities. Who will look after them now? What will his children do now? What about his wife?” (5)

“The Police and Army charged into our community in a violent manner directly against us. They broke into our homes, smashed windows, and mistreated our women. [The State security forces] believed [the Belgian tourists] withheld were here, but they were mistaken. We as a community specifically denied participating in their restraining. Why didn’t they enter our community peacefully to dialogue first? Even the representative from the Human Rights Ombudsman Office (PDH, in Spanish) was physically beaten. The Government of Guatemala has carried out a terrible injustice.” (6)

Mario Caal Bolom was 29 years old and belonged to the Educational Commission of the Community Committee for Development.

Mario Caal’s relatives, including his mother, painfully grieve as community members carry his coffin towards the cemetery.

According to eyewitnesses, the death of Mario Caal was not accidental, but in fact an “extrajudicial execution by members of the National Civil Police (PNC) who knew Mario was a community leader and because he expressed himself well in Spanish.” (It is important to note that most Maya Q’eqchi’ indigenous peoples speak a limited amount of Spanish; some none at all). Additionally, Mario served as an observer during the liberation of the 29 police officers withheld at nearby and fellow Encuentro Campesino member community Creek Maya in late February. Considering all these factors, local community members are convinced that Mario was previously pointed out by the security forces and therefore his death was by no means accidental. (7)

“It is very painful for us to remember our history. This event reminds us too well how the [36-year] internal armed conflict began. They started then. And today, once again, they intimidate us. Gentlemen, we are deeply troubled to think that members of the PNC tortured, strangled, and, in an effort to erase all evidence, eventually shot at close range with a tear-gas canister the dead body of our brother, our friend, our brother-in-law.” (8)

“Do you really think we are such idiots that we do not think things over? No Gentlemen, do not make that mistake about us. It is true, we are poor and humble. But we are not incapable. We truly hope the State has the capacity to provide meaningful information about the PNC and Army members who violently entered here in Puntarenas. Even though we see this as a difficult task as everyone is trying to wash their hands from the blame.” (9)

As the events unfolded, an informational confusion developed at national level as the Ministry of the Interior, the President’s office, and the PDH all released different versions of the events. The Ministry of the Interior declared openly that the liberation of the Belgian tourists was a complete success while denying both the death of Mario Caal as well as the exchange of illegally detained peasants for the Belgians. (10)

Meanwhile, both the Presidency and the PDH admitted that State security forces captured three peasants, including Ramiro Choc’s wife, without previous orders of arrest and eventually exchanged them for the release of the Belgian tourists. (11)

“Rolando Yoc, member of the PDH who was present in Puntarenas, Livingston, openly declared Mario Caal’s death as an “extrajudicial assassination. The community kept Caal’s body for 19 hours at the scene of the crime while waiting for the arrival of members from the District Attorney’s office, who never showed up.” (12)

“The population of Puntarenas suffered a complete psychological stomping. People here now live in fear. When a coast guard boat speeds by, or community members see Police officers, they feel like running into the jungle and hide.” (13)

“Here, we are condemned. We find ourselves in an alley without exit. There are no opportunities. On the contrary, opportunities are taken away from us on a daily basis. Oppression continues everyday. In which security force are we to trust if the Police are the same ones who kill us? Only in the time of military dictatorships did things like this occur, like in 1982. Hence, it is very difficult to remember and accept... We are genuinely worried about our welfare and safety. I believe history will judge. Let justice punish. Allow the truth to condemn.” (14)

“Until now, in this conflict, the State has been the only one that has killed. It is imperative to understand such acts of desperation [such as the retention of police officers and Belgian tourists], which are caused by the lack of justice, poverty, and legal status of their lands.” (15)


Versión en español aquí.
In Japanese: 日本語で。

1 Reynolds, Louisa. “Izabal es nuevamente escenario de conflictividad agraria”. Inforpress Centroamericana, No. 1742. 29/02/2008.
2 Perdomo, Edwin. “Izabal: Controversia por campesino muerto durante la incursión de la fuerza pública”. Prensa Libre, Guatemala, March 17, 2008. http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/marzo/17/226849.html
3 Cabanas, Andrés. http://www.albedrio.org/htm/articulos/acabanas-079.htm
4 Interview with the Auxiliary Mayor of La Ensenada Puntarenas; March 18, 2008.
5 Interview with first resident of La Ensenada Puntarenas who prefers to remain anonymous; March 18, 2008.
6 Ibid.
7 Interview with second resident of La Ensenada Puntarenas who prefers to remain anonymous; March 18, 2008.
8 Interview with third resident of La Ensenada Puntarenas who prefers to remain anonymous; March 18, 2008.
9 Ibid.
10 “No hubo canje de capturados por rehenes, asegura ministro de Gobernación”. Prensa Libre, Guatemala, March 18, 2008. (http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/marzo/18/227321.html).
11 “Secuestradores canjean a turistas por campesinos”. elPeriodico, Guatemala. March 16, 2008. (http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20080316/pais/50586/).
12 Perdomo. Op. Cit.
13 Interview with fourth resident of La Ensenada Puntarenas who prefers to remain anonymous; March 18, 2008.
14 Ibid.
15 Interview with member of Guatemalan human rights organization who prefers to remain anonymous; March 20, 2008.

Procession of the Laying Christ of the Calvary

Guatemala City, Guatemala.
March 21, 2008. Good Friday.
Issue: Society / Culture

The religious processions of Antigua Guatemala during Easter have been well documented and are renowned throughout the world. Nevertheless, the ones carried out in the Capital City are also very impressive not only in size and attendance, but very colorful and of great importance within Guatemalan culture and its Catholic community.

Multiple processions are attended by “thousands of Catholic parishioners who reenact the life, passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Easter celebrations.” (1)

Detail of a carriage representing Death.

“The carpets, made out of sawdust, flowers or fruits, constitute one of the most important characteristics of the Guatemalan celebrations of Easter. These lengthy and extraordinary carpets, unique to Guatemalan culture, form part of the so-called popular ephemeral art and are intertwined with the collective memory of every Guatemalan. It is a clear example of the religious and cultural syncretism.” (2)

“Their origin comes from two sources: during Pre-Hispanic times, Spanish documentarians from the 16th century as well as written indigenous testimonies, recorded that local lords and priests would, on certain ceremonies, walk over carpets made from flowers, pine needles and feathers from precious birds such as quetzals, hummingbirds, and macaws... In addition, there is also the Spanish influence from the Canary Islands, in particular from Tererife and Gomera, where large carpets were created since remote times. A testimony from the 7th century reveals colorful dirt passageways with flowers and different types of sand.” (3)

Of all the celebrations in Guatemala City, the one featuring a gigantic wooden platform with a lying down Jesus Christ, known as the image of the Buried Lord, definitely stands out.

Every Good Friday, such platform is paraded around the historical centre of the Capital City, known as Zone 1, and it is considered the largest in the world as it requires 140 people to carry it.

“The image of the Buried Lord, laying in proper burial position, is attributed to the sculptor Pedro de Mendoza, from the mid-17th century. It was consecrated on November 19th, 1989.” (4)

Versión en español aquí.


1 http://www.prensalibre.com/pl/2008/marzo/18/227061.html
2 Lara, Celso. “Las Alfombras”. March 30, 2007. http://www.deguate.com/artman/publish/especiales_semanasanta/Las_Alfombras_7350.shtml
3 Ibid.
4 Special issue from Prensa Libre: “Semana Santa 2008. Recorridos procesionales de la Ciudad Capital, La Antigua Guatemala y Pregón departamental”. Guatemala, March 8, 2008. P. 10.

Defending Our Territory from Plunder

Sipakapa. San Marcos, Guatemala.
January 19, 2008.
Issue: Indigenous and Community Rights / Mining / Land

After the historic triumph by the Sipakapa Civic Committee during the general elections of last September (please view the photo-essay: Here in Sipakapa, the People Won), Delfino Tema Baustista took charge as Municipal Mayor of Sipakapa on January 15, 2008.

Nevertheless, a number of celebratory events did not take place until Saturday, January 19.

Without a doubt, a mass given by Monsignor Alvaro Ramazzini, Bishop of San Marcos, turned into the main event: “The reason for our celebration today is to thank the Lord for our new municipal council which is the result of your effort and hard work. Little by little, all of you have been developing a higher conscience regarding your rights, responsibilities, and the need to have local authorities who will truly and continually seek the benefit of the people.”


“I invite you all to join me in prayer so that these men before me will truly become servants of the people, continually seek benefit for all, and that despite the dangers, the threats, the difficulties, the risks, the temptations, they will remain firm. Because the hard work starts now; we must always continue the struggle and not stop now just because we have won.”

“Lord, please accompany these brothers so that together, authorities and the people united can walk the paths towards welfare, increased social and economic development, and peace, in this beloved region of Sipakapa.”

“The Sipakapa Civic Committee was formed three years ago by locals who have continually struggled to peacefully defend their territory and its natural environment from the perils posed by mining activities. Their main goal has always consisted of gaining political power so as to develop policies backed by the majority of the municipality’s population. It was a conscious decision to run under the independent figure of a Civic Committee, as none of the traditional political parties were willing to firmly stand against the presence in Sipakapa of Montana Exploradora, local subsidiary of Canada-based mining giant Goldcorp.” (1)

In his first official interview as Mayor of Sipakapa, Delfino Tema declares: “Our principal goal is to defend our territory from the plunder of our natural resources by international corporations. We will continue our resistance against mining because life is worth much more than gold. Under no circumstances will we negotiate with Montana Exploradora because that would go against the will of the people [of Sipakapa].”

The Sipakapa case has truly become a landmark one as it was the first municipality in Guatemala to organize a community consultation (or plebiscite) with regards to mining activities in its territory. Nearly one hundred percent of the population in Sipakapa rejected the gold mining license given to Montana Exploradora by the Guatemalan Government. “The community consultation is a legal and peaceful process which gathers the population so as to allow them to implement their rights.” Thanks to the example set by Sipakapa in 2005, more than 20 other municipalities nationwide have since organized and carried out mining consultations; all have rejected mining activities in their territories by landslides (please view the photo-essay: Sipakapa's Legacy). (2)

Nevertheless, Guatemala’s highest judicial power, the Constitutionality Court, deemed the landmark Sipakapa community consultation as legal yet not binding in May 2007. (3)

“The [federal] government protects the company rather than its own people... But the municipality of Sipakapa has a land title for all its territory. Hence, the land negotiations between company and individuals can occur, but such document empowers us above all and allows us to negate the permit... We have begun a legal process through the Inter-American Court on Human Rights (IACHR) so that our land titles are made valid.” (4)

“This document is the land title of Sipakapa as a whole. It is proven that Sipakapa is the sole owner of its own territory. The political Constitution of the Republic of Guatemala declares that all documents issued before 1956 are untouchable. Therefore, both titles available, one written in 1816 and the most recent one of 1918 are very important documents for the inhabitants of Sipakapa and its territory. The State of Guatemala has violated the private property right of all the people of Sipakapa by granting a mining license without previously consulting with the rightful owners.” (5)

Regarding the alternative plan for development proposed by the Civic Committee during its campaign, Delfino Tema explained that despite the problematic municipal budget, they hope to begin the development of alternative projects this first year “but without the use of municipal funds and instead with the aid of foreign or national cooperation and development agencies. We are focused on providing support for our agricultural sector because most of the people in Sipakapa belong to it.”

“We particularly seek to develop a fair-trade coffee brand, as well as the production of peaches and avocado. And, we are hopeful to find a market for our products, whether it is an international market or even industrialize our products at national level.” (6)

One of the first achievements by Delfino Tema’s newly elected municipal council has been the inclusion of residents of Sipakapa in the so-called Miracle Mission. “A health program created and ran by the Venezuelan Government of Hugo Chavez, it offers free eye surgeries of several degrees to low-income Latin Americans throughout the continent.” The first group from Sipakapa, consisting of 26 patients, returned successfully from Venezuelan territory on March 9, 2008. Roughly, 125 more residents of Sipakapa are slated to participate in the Miracle Mission within the next few months. (7)

“For us, development consists in protecting our natural wealth. And in particular, I believe good health is the most precious wealth one can have in the world”, continues Delfino Tema. “What good is it to have lots of money if one has an incurable disease? Even money can not buy another life. Good health is the most precious treasure we can possess. The main goal [these next four years] is to protect our territory and safeguard our health.”


Versión en español aquí.
In Japanese: 日本語で。

1 Comisión Pastoral Paz y Ecología (COPAE). “El Comité Cívico toma posesión de la alcaldía de Sipacapa, San Marcos”. El Robre Vigoroso, No. 14. San Marcos, Guatemala. February 6, 2008.
2 Cofiño, Anamaría. “Sipakapa no se vende: El Estado no tiene capacidad para verificar los daños de las mineras”. elPeriodico, Guatemala, June 24, 2006. (http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20060624/opinion/29095/)
3 Comisión Pastoral Paz y Ecología (COPAE). “Resolución de la Corte de Constitucionalidad ratifica la legitimidad de la consulta comunitaria”. El Robre Vigoroso, No. 9. San Marcos, Guatemala. June 19, 2007.
4 Interview with Delfino Tema Bautista; Municipal Mayor of Sipakapa, San Marcos, Guatemala. January 19, 2008.
5 Interview with Mario Tema Bautista; Sipakapa, San Marcos, Guatemala. January 20, 2008.
6 Delfino Tema Bautista. Op. Cit.
7 “Mayas Apuestan a Milagro de Venezuela para Ver” (http://www.terra.com/salud/articulo/html/sal4454.htm).

Chupina Barahona, Death Does Not Absolve You

Guatemala City, Guatemala.
February 23, 2008.
Issue: Genocide / Impunity / Justice

Text: Communiqué by HIJOS Guatemala
Photography, Captions and Sp-Eng Translation: MiMundo.org

On Saturday, February 23rd, the organization HIJOS Guatemala publically condemned the recently deceased German Chupina Barahona. Former director of the National Police during the Military Dictatorship of Romeo Lucas Garcia, Chupina Barahona died at home despite having charges against him for genocide and crimes against humanity. Members from HIJOS Guatemala read the following communiqué during the event which took place in front of the former National Police Headquarters which currently host the Ministry of the Interior:

Impunity Protected the Genocidal Chupina until His Death

German Chupina Barahona, accused of carrying out Genocide, served as special assessor to [former dictator] Arana Osorio, known as the Jackal from the Orient, during his wave of repression which left a trail of death and terror. During the military dictatorship of Romeo Lucas Garcia, Chupina served as director of the National Police, directly participating in the assassinations of Oliveiro Castañeda de Leon, Alberto Fuentes Mohr, Manuel Colom Argueta, abduction and forced disappearance of labor union leaders from the National Workers Central (CNT), as well as the burning down of the Spanish Embassy, among many other acts of terror, extermination, and impunity.

Chupina is one of the seven criminals who are currently undergoing a judicial process for crimes against humanity within the Spanish court system. The Spanish National Audience requested the detention of such criminals, five being military personnel and two civilians. A local court did file arrest warrants against five of the seven accused.


Nevertheless, following the footsteps of other former Latin-American military tyrants, such as the assassin Pinochet, Chupina Barahona claimed illness and entered a hospital so as to delay the legal process. In December 2007, Guatemala’s highest judicial tribunal, the Constitutionality Court, ruled in favor of the accused. It was then when Chupina returned under complete impunity to his home. On February 18, Chupina died in his home with his loved ones while thousands of Guatemalans still await some sort of justice to be carried out.

A lack of will by the Guatemalan Judicial System to process war criminals is clear. Even though death caught up with Chupina before being publicly recognized as the criminal he was, we believe DEATH DOES NOT ABSOLVE HIM. Our authorities are fully responsible and should neither stall nor derail a judicial process against those still alive, in addition to those who are now shielded by death (Chupina Barahona and Romeo Lucas Garcia).

The shadow of terror cast upon by them must be known by the new generations, the youth of today and tomorrow – we have a right to know the truth. To our “authorities”: We demand Justice Now! Death to military impunity!

CHUPINA BARAHONA, DEATH DOES NEITHER ABSOLVE NOR GRANT YOU FORGIVENESS!

WE DON’T FORGET, WE DON’T FORGIVE, WE WON’T RECONCILE.
-H.I.J.O.S. GUATEMALA

Besides members of HIJOS, others present also stated their thoughts and feelings. While expressing herself, Maria Elena Bustamante displayed a small billboard with a photograph of her disappeared brother which read: “Emil Bustamante: Detained-disappeared by the Guatemalan Army on February 13, 1982. Seen alive, yet brutally tortured, in the Matamoros military garrison on March 23, 1982, day in which Rios Montt carried out a coup d’état.”

The former National Police Headquarters are located along the highly transited 6th Avenue in Zone 1 of the Capital City. Hence, a number of people walking by stopped to listen.

Raul Najera explains how German Chupina Barahona’s legacy to the current Civil National Police includes a number of repression methods still used today and are directly responsible for the present-day social insecurity which Guatemala struggles with.

“Danger: Police in the Vicinity”.

Iduvina Hernandez, well known and respected human rights activist, summarizes the event’s principal sentiment: “German Chupina Barahona: Assassin today and always!”


Versión en español aquí.

In Japanese: 日本語で。

Ancestral Cuisine: The Kak’ik

Tucuru. Alta Verapaz, Guatemala.
February 22, 2008.
Issue: Society / Culture

Deemed intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in November 2007, the Kak’ik is an ancestral dish of Pre-Hispanic origin largely cooked and consume among the Q’eqchi’ Mayas of Guatemala. “The red coloring evokes memories of the blood used in rituals and ceremonies by their ancestors.” (1)

The Kak’ik is a turkey soup-stew which features a number of spices from which achiote, coriander, and a number of chilies stand out. Following is a visual homage to the cultural traditions kept alive by Mayan women of the Q’eqchi’ ethnic group who still kill, clean, and cook the turkey as has been done for generations.

Versión en español aquí.

In Japanese: 日本語で。

1 Palma, Claudia. “Patentados el jocón, el pepián, el kak ik y los plátanos en mole”. elPeriodico, Guatemala. November 27, 2007. (http://www.elperiodico.com.gt/es/20071127/14/46099)