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Protests bu the indigenous farming community have been brewing for a while. Leaders of the cooperative organizations representing the farmers have felt that their needs have not been listened to by the government or worse that they were heard and dismissed. Threats of protests have been echoing through the streets of Guatemala City and other community for weeks. According to the media, today will be the day that farmers take the street. Here is the translation of the article written about the protests in El Periodico. Read on for potential implications.
If the plans of the farmers’ organizations take shape, all the access points to the capital city will be blocked from the 6:00 am today
Yesterday, the leaders who head the protests announced that they will close access to the capital city in the four cardinal points, will occupy airports and will make blockades in different smaller sections from the country.
They are doing this, because they think that the government has not offered a concrete answer to their demands. The protests begin today and finish Friday, according to the original plans. They could restart next week if the main organizations feel it is necessary.
At the same time in which the protest plan was announced, president Óscar Berger was present at a demonstration of members of the Antiriot Unit of Polici’a Nacional Civil (PNC), after giving equipment to them to resist violent manifestations.
Pedro Corner, leader of the National Indigenous Farmers (Conic), insists that there will not be violent measures or no attacks against private property.
The farmer’s main complaint is that the government makes calls to have negotiations, but never makes specific proposals. They will wait for an answer in writing, in order to consider that the actions in fact are not made again next Friday.
Nery Districts, director of the Unit of Action filed by labor union and Popular (UASP), assures that the accesses to the Airport (Aurora International) and to the aerial terminal of Petén will also be blocked.
Shared in common with the decision
The coordination of ONG and other cooperatives showed their support to protests of this weekend, when considering that the population must have the right to show its displeasure by the situation that the country is living in.
Meanwhile, the Agrarian Platform demanded a course change in the management of president Óscar Berger, to consider that the proposals of social organizations are not taken into account.
They reject attitude
The chief executive agent thinks that these actions harm the country and insisted that the causes by which the groups also protest are concerns of the government as well.
Last night, several deprived educative establishments of the country suspended the classes, whereas the Ministry of Education reiterated that the decision is not official.
This has two impacts to the adoption community. Number one it should be yet anothr reminder of the political climate of this country that is dear to our hearts. Number two, I know many are making travel arrangements soon. Please keep up to date with your agency regarding these events.
As of right now, I would not say there is anything to fear as protests are fairly common. However, the intent is to shutdown the operations of the city in order to bring atttention to their cause. Usually these groups are fairly successful in what they do. I will keep up to date on happenings and let you know!
Let’s just hope that this time (as opposed to during the 36 year long civil war), the CIA will keep out of Guatemala’s business. There is enough corruption in the government in Guatemala, and the poverty and illiteracy rates are tragic. With such a small percentage holding the majority of the wealth, it is no wonder the farmers are protesting. They have my support.