December 6, 2022, a large contingent of Guatemala security forces attacked the Chapín Abajo community. The security forces were carrying out an eviction notice filed by the African palm company NaturAceites. An estimated 3,000 Guatemalan police and military arrived in the early morning. They opened fire, deployed teargas, and violently beat community members, including women and children.
Four days later, on December 10, GHRC’s Guatemala team mobilized a verification mission to Chapín Abajo to gather testimonies from witnesses and document human rights abuses. This delegation consisted of six people: two from GHRC, two from Coban, and two from surrounding communities in El Estor. The community of Chapín Abajo asked us to share their stories and denounce the violence perpetrated against them. Below is our report back on what we found using this link.