Guatemala's growing mining sector brings violence against indigenous communities with it
Nina Lakhani April 29, 2014 11:31
Guatemala's growing mining sector brings violence against indigenous communities with it
The industry has grown seven-fold since 2006 and the president granted more than 100 mining licenses in the first 18 months of his term, as violent attacks target opposing rural and indigenous communities.
SAN RAFAEL LAS FLORES, Guatemala — Late on Sunday April 13, Edwin Alex Reynoso and his daughter Merilyn Topacio Reynoso were attacked by gunmen on their way home from a community meeting.
Topacio was killed, her father seriously wounded. Both were active members of the resistance movement against the Canadian-owned Escobal silver mine in San Rafael las Flores, a couple of miles away from where the attack took place. The violence occurred just barely one week after six members of another indigenous community, who are fighting a hydroelectric project, were shot.
These are the latest in a long line of violent attacks targeting hundreds of rural and indigenous communities across Guatemala who are fighting an onslaught of resource-exploiting mega projects — mining, hydroelectric, oil and industrial African palm plantations — which are promoted by the government and investors as development.
Guatemala’s metal mining sector has grown seven-fold since 2006, and the administration of President Otto Pérez Molina granted more than 100 mining licenses during its first 18 months in power. There are also more than 50 hydroelectric projects at various phases.
More:
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/rights/guatemala-growing-mining-sector-violence-against-indigenous-communities
